October 2003: Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, dies, leaving $1.5 billion to Salvation Army to create Kroc centers nationwide.
August 2004: Mayor Herb Bergson asks City Council to assign $6 million from Fond-du-Luth Casino revenue to Kroc center. Council agrees and increases the amount to $7.5 million.
November 2005: Salvation Army unveils plans for $20 million, 125,000-square-foot center with swimming pool, aquatic center and coffeehouse; center later is scaled back to 85,000 square feet.
February 2006: Duluth residents and businesses join city in pledging more than $10 million needed for an endowment to support the center.
November 2006: City backs off demands prohibiting exterior cross and other religious symbols.
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December 2006: City Council approves funding, the sale of land and a development and use agreement.
Spring 2007: Construction projected to begin.
