NMCC Groundbreaking of Wellness and Student Centers [Photos & Video]

Those involved with the financial side of the groundbreaking sat under the shade of a canopy with snacks and sipped coffee and waited for their chance to say what an honor it is to be part of this 6 million dollar project. On the sidelines- the men and women, who will, moments after the ceremony, pick up hammers and blueprints, stood in the sunlight and enjoyed the beautiful morning and waited to get to work.

Before picking up their ceremonial golden shovels, Timothy Crowley, Kris Doody, Vicki Smith and Gerald Chasse took a moment to address the crowd about the project. I had a chance to speak with Timothy Crowley, NMCC President, here's a bit of what he had to say:

I also managed to talk to James Martin, the general contractor for the project:

(In video: Timothy Crowley, NMCC President; Viki Smith, Chair of the Board - NMCC Foundation; Gerald Chasse, Leadership Council Member - Foundation for Maine's Community Colleges; Kris Doody, Chair of the Board of Trustees - Maine Community College System)

Roughly one year from now NMCC students will be enjoying the brand new Rodney Smith Wellness Center built by local contractors and funded by the generosity of Mary Smith, originally from Presque Isle but now resides in California. The remainder of the bill is said to have been picked up by local businesses. The wellness center will offer an area for weightlifting and cardio equipment, a room for group exercises, a classroom to teach wellness and ergonomics, locker rooms and office space.