Photo Gallery | Members celebrate opening day at Kroc Center

There was a much anticipated grand opening this weekend for the Memphis community and the Salvation Army.

The Kroc Center opened their doors to the public for the first time Saturday at their massive facility on East Parkway and Central Avenue.

It's 104,000 square foot, and construction lasted for eight years.  

The $85 million community center is on the old Memphis fairgrounds.

Public relations manager for the Salvation Army Memphis Ellen Westbrook said all 30 Kroc Centers in the United States remain a place for recreation, education, worship and arts as the visionary donor requested.

In 2004, Joan Kroc donated $1.5 billion of matching funds for the construction of all centers.

The Kroc Center begins their normal hours of operation February 25. Click here for hours and more information.