BROOKINGS — A large crowd gathered Tuesday afternoon for a groundbreaking ceremony at the soon-to-be-expanded Ivy Center in downtown Brookings.

Brookings Behavioral Health & Wellness CEO Mary Beth Fishback welcomed the crowd and dignitaries to the ceremony for the expansion, which will transform the Ivy Center from a 6,000 square foot building to a more than 20,000 square foot mental health center.

The expansion, hoped to be completed in fall 2025, will allow the center room for up to 45 staffers.