Community and King’s Daughters Medical Center officials Mondayheld a ground-breaking ceremony for the hospital therapy center’snew expansion.

“We’re excited about this expansion,” said KDMC Chief ExecutiveOfficer Phillip Grady about the 5,000-square-feet addition to thecenter on Biglane Drive.

After acquiring some neighboring property that will be used forparking, Grady said the estimated $450,000 addition will providespace for water therapy and aerobics plus an expanded gym andphysical therapy area.

“The therapy, business and fitness center have growntremendously in the past year,” said Christi Mills, KDMC directorof therapy and fitness.

The state of the art addition will provide more space for warmwater therapy and fitness sessions, Mills said. It will alsoinclude an aerobics/community room.

Mills said the center will be hiring more therapists to handlethe larger service area. She was also appreciative of the largerparking area that is being done as part of the project.

“We’re glad to have more parking to accommodate all the therapyand fitness clients,” Mills said.

Steve Goodwin, vice-president of Paul Jackson and Son, said someutility lines must be moved before the project can start.

Goodwin expected site work on the parking area should startsometime around the middle of next week. The time frame for theproject is 100 calendar days.

David Phillips, president of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County,commended the hospital for its commitment to the community and forits pursuing the expansion project.

“KDMC has always been a really great partner and a key to oureconomic development,” Phillips said.