VIDEO: Checking In On Kroc Center Construction

If you’ve driven by the Salvation Army’s Kroc Center on E. Wigeon Way lately, you might have noticed the crew of workers breaking up ground, bulldozers transporting concrete, and a number of ditches being dug around one of the newest additions to Salvation Army locations. The building is just a shell of its old self, but big plans are underway.

“Everything really—everything is going to be brand new in this building,” said Jonathan Harvey, Salvation Army Captain.

The facility will have everything the old YMCA had, plus a rock wall, commercial kitchen, computer center, party room, chapel, auditorium, lounge area with fireplace, cabana areas near the pool, café, craft and music room and an event space, making the center ideal for to rent out to the public.

“This will really be a party venue for families,” said Harvey.

Harvey said one of the main questions asked about the new center is what makes Salvation Army think they can survive when the YMCA could not.

He said the facility was designed with the idea of being able to bring in revenue through renting the event space, rock wall, kitchen, and more. He also hopes to bring concerts and plays to the center’s auditorium, weekly church services at the chapel and classes teaching just about everything from dance, to karate, to cooking.

“This is like a life dream for me, to build this facility,” said Harvey. “Words can’t express.”

Following in the footsteps of already completed Kroc Centers, Suisun City location will have all new flooring and ceilings, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Thanks to a recent Suisun City green building code, materials and equipment used in construction will also be environmentally friendly.

“There’s a commissioning requirement which is basically our mechanical systems (and) HVAC company has to ensure that all the equipment is running as efficiently as possible so that they’re not wasting any energy or using any more than is absolutely necessary,” said Tyler Gahagan, project engineer for Ascent Builders.

Gahagan said the designers of the building plan to use an energy efficient HVAC system and electrical system as well as low-flow fixtures for the toilet. Materials used to construct the building, too, must be recyclable whenever possible.

“(It) saves the Salvation Army money so that’s kind of the benefit in that,” said Gahagan.

For more information about the Kroc Center, including frequent updates on construction, visit their Facebook page, or click on the video to see for yourself.

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