Three weeks into construction on the new Martha’s Vineyard YMCA expansion, board members, staff, construction personnel and donors gathered at the site Friday for an official groundbreaking ceremony.

Donning light blue hard hats, members of the YMCA leadership team dug their shovels into the ground that will become the new 39,000-square-foot fieldhouse, set to contain a multi-sport gymnasium, an elevated track and space for rehabilitation, wellness, senior and after school programs.

Rendering shows what the new facility will look like.

Rendering shows what the new facility will look like.

YMCA CEO Jill Robie-Axtell did not provide an exact completion date for the project, but said there is a 14- to 16-month construction window.

Following the groundbreaking, guests filled the Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center, where those involved with the project shared a few words. 

Mary Stanton, who led the donation campaign to raise money for the roughly $30 million expansion, explained that the YMCA’s national mission has long been dear to her. After having her children and moving to New Jersey, she was desperate for community, which she found at her local YMCA. Her experience led her to advocate for a robust YMCA on the Island, where winter months can be isolating.

“I made a whole group of friends,” she said. “It saved me.”

Ms. Robie-Axtell said community is at the heart of everything about the YMCA, from the multi-million dollar fieldhouse project to daily operations. She recognized and thanked the entire YMCA staff, many of whom have been involved with the organization since they were young children.

YMCA board president Steve Adamo emphasized that the YMCA’s continued evolution is a community-wide effort, drawing on a quote from Helen Keller.

“Alone, we can do so little, and together, we can do so much,” he said.