SPRINGFIELD – Acknowledging, “It’s been a long process,” the city’s Director of Capital Asset Peter Garvey, said the rebuilding of a new South End Community Center should be completed in 14 to 18 months, perhaps even in 12 months if the winter is mild.

Garvey was among the city officials at an official groundbreaking for the center on Sept. 23. The announcement was made in front of the foundation of the new building, which has already begun construction.

He explained the new facility, located off Marble Street in Emerson Wight Park, would have 29,000 square feet, two floors with a gym and a multi-function room on the first floor and three classrooms and a fitness room on the second floor. There will also be an exterior basketball court.

Mayor Domenic Sarno said the new structure would cost $10.4 million – $6.2 million through federal recovery funding and $4.2 million from the city.

“It is really truly a special day, our beloved South End Community Center is finally, finally going to be rebuilt,” Sarno said.

Prior to being elected mayor, Sarno was the executive director of the center, a place he came to while growing up.

Sarno said there was “a lot of action” in the South End, with a more than $10 million investment made by Balise Automotive and the MGM Springfield casino. He added that subsidized housing units at the end of Marble Street are going to be demolished and replaced.

Several people, including the mayor spoke about the impact the center has made in the past and in the future with the new facility.

Frank Capuano, an alumni of the center, said, “The number of lives that will be changed by this investment will be tremendous.” He added, “It really touched me and changed by life.”

Chae Swan, the center’s director, noted how the center has presented programming in various locations to maintain service to the youth of the community.

He said the center’s programs draw youth from not just around the city but the area. “It is invaluable to families and children of the South End community,” he noted.

The historic Howard Street Armory had been the home of the center prior to its partial destruction by the Jun 1, 2011 tornado. The front of the building is being integrated into the design of the casino complex.

While he could not attend the groundbreaking, Congressman Richard Neal released a written statement: “Today’s groundbreaking represents another tangible development in our city’s rebuilding process from the damage that was done by the 2011 tornado. Who can forget that day five years ago when a funnel cloud touched down in the South End destroying large sections of this historic neighborhood? But working closely with Mayor Sarno and with the support of the people of Springfield we fought hard for the federal disaster assistance funds that continue to help make our recovery possible. And the groundbreaking of the new South End Community Center is another example of that. When completed, this $10 million facility will be a great asset to the local community.”