HCA breaks ground on new, $1.6 million play-space

JOHNSON CITY, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – The HCA broke ground on a new addition to give kids, of all abilities, a place to play.

Helping Celebrate Abilities hosted a groundbreaking ceremony this morning at its facility on Broad Avenue in Johnson City.

The addition will create a new one-story, 24,000 square foot facility connected to the current building.

It will feature a large classroom, a dedicated physical therapy space, and an all-weather, indoor grass play space. The project will also create an accessible main entrance off of the existing parking lot.

Executive Director Lisa Kost says especially living in Greater Binghamton, the kids need space to run and play even in bad weather.

"Being that we don't have any indoor gross motor space, this will allow us to have that. Also, currently, for children to go to the playground that might have some mobility issues, they can't go with the rest of their class. They have to go out the front door and around to a separate entrance to the playground because there are stairs. Children will be able to access the full building, including the playground no matter what mobility issues they might have," says Kost.

The expansion is expected to cost around $1.6 million.

The HCA hopes for it to be completed by June and start using it at the start of the next school year.