Ground to be broken Friday for YMCA expansion in Westerly

Westerly - The Westerly-Pawcatuck branch of the Ocean Community YMCA will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday at 11 a.m. for its $7.2 million expansion and renovation project. R.I. Gov. Lincoln Chaffee is also slated to attend.

The project includes a new teen center, a renovation of the Kids Korner, an expansion and renovation of the Wellness Center, new locker rooms and additional wellness studios. The parking lot has already been expanded and renovated.

The YMCA said its capital campaign is close to its goal of raising $4 million toward the project cost. The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation has also provided funding for the project, which is slated for completion in September of 2012.

The YMCA's president and CEO Maureen N. Fitzgerald, thanked the "hundreds of donors and volunteers that helped turn this vision into a reality" and said the project will position the YMCA to better serve the community for generations.