It was a long time coming, but Family Pathways had a ground-breaking ceremony Thursday to mark the beginning of a construction project to build Monarch Training Institute: Center for Family and Professional Excellence.

The center will be built on the west side of Monarch Place, 100 Brugh Ave., the former Spang and Co. building.

Family Pathways purchased the 44,000-square- foot building on 4.85 acres in 2004.

The $3 million, three-story structure will be just under 16,000 square feet and house:

A first-floor conference hall for 200-plus with a catering kitchen and serving area

A children's activity center with an enclosed courtyard

A strategic planning suite and youth activity center on the second floor

A third-floor clinical staff suite with clinical library and a staff break/training area with enclosed balcony equipped with computer access.

“The economy and the challenges this presented to social service agencies simply wouldn't support any additional construction projects at the time,” Elan Welter Lewis, executive director and founder of Family Pathways, said of plans to build the project six years ago.

She said a combination of grants, contributions and savings is paying for the construction.

Family Pathways' 40 full-time, 15 part-time and 12 contracted employees service 5,000 annual clients.

“It's anticipated that construction will ... be complete in the fall of 2018, just as Family Pathways celebrates 20 years of service with at-risk children and their families in Butler County,” Lewis said.