By Sara Marls

The Stevens Point School District on Wednesday will celebrate the ground breaking of its new Life Skills Center after three years of debate.

The groundbreaking ceremony begins at 1:30 PM at the construction site just west of SPASH, 1201 Northpoint Dr. District Superintendent Attila Weninger and School Board President Angel Faxon will be on hand, along with other district administrators, teachers and students.

Some members of the school board held a stronghold against the project, insisting other, better options should be explored. The final approval came Sept. 29 after the board voted 5-3 to approve the construction bid submitted by Wausau-based Samuels Group. Members Alex Kochanowski, Lisa Totten and Kim Shirek voted against the move.

The 3,000 square foot building will accommodate developmentally-delayed and disabled students who need extra help learning independent living skills in a home-like setting. District officials say the new center is being paid for at no expense to taxpayers after the district encountered unexpected funds from the state.