HARKER HEIGHTS — Shoveling dirt Saturday in Purser Family Park marked a seasonal turning to bring to fruition an eight-year dream, Armed Services YMCA representatives said.

Construction of a new 50,000-square-foot facility to serve children, soldiers and everyone in the community can soon start, said Cindy Davis, chairwoman of the new building’s committee.

“Keep this project in your prayers,” Davis told guests attending Saturday’s groundbreaking ceremony.

Tony Mino, Armed Services YMCA’s executive director, said eight years ago staff and board members talked about the facility. The past five were spent raising money for it.

The new building will help with the ASYMCA’s mission to serve junior enlisted personnel and their families, Mino said.

“Being able to work with the families before the deployments happen, when the deployments happen and when they get back is a tremendous and humbling experience for us at the Armed Services Y,” he said.

The organization is a unit sponsor for the 1st Cavalry Division’s 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, said Col. Tim Karcher, a former commander of the battalion.

Karcher, who is currently the chief of staff for the U.S. Army Operational Test Command, said the local staff makes the organization more than a sponsor.

The Armed Services YMCA held its groundbreaking for the new location in Harker Heights on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014.  Photo by Jodi Perry | Herald

Col. Timothy Karcher speaks at the groundbreaking for the Armed Services YMCA in Harker Heights on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014.  Photo by Jodi Perry | Herald

The ASYMCA recognizes the cost of war, deployments, families struggling and young men and women coming home changed physically and emotionally, Karcher said.

“In about a year, we’ll realize the dream that’s been going on for so long,” Karcher said. “This dream is for a place for our kids, our soldiers, our veterans, our families to come to work out, socialize, just to sit and have a cup of coffee — a place where people can recover and rehabilitate.

Saturday was a special day because it means the community is getting new neighbors, he said.

Though located in Harker Heights, Mayor Rob Robinson said it is for individuals in all area communities who have invested time, money and support for it.

The facility, estimated to cost more than $11.5 million, is the result of community support and partnerships, said Larry Linder, Armed Services YMCA chairman.

Seton Medical Center Harker Heights, which will be a partner for the facility to offer outpatient rehabilitation, contributed $2 million, Linder said.

Killeen Independent School District, which also donated $2 million, will train students in the facility’s pool, he said.

Land was donated by the Purser family.

Helen Purser said it was her husband, Gary Purser’s foresight to give back to the community; and the family is glad to see how the land will be used.

“We’re so fortunate to have Fort Hood to protect us, and what little we can give back to them is what we should do,” Purser said.

Linder said the world-class facility will feature a healing pool and is for soldiers, families and civilians.

Davis said programs ranging from cooking classes to family health programs, aquatic therapy and rehabilitation will be offered.

Area officials join Armed Services YMCA board members and local donors for the groundbreaking in Harker Heights on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014.  Photo by Jodi Perry | Herald	Harker Heights Mayor Rob Robinson speaks at the groundbreaking for the Armed Services YMCA on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014.  Photo by Jodi Perry | Herald	Armed Services YMCA board chairman Larry Linder speaks at the groundbreaking for the Armed Services YMCA on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014.  Photo by Jodi Perry | Herald