By Lori Carlson, Editor

Hundreds of people showed up for a groundbreaking ceremony and celebration Sunday for a new YMCA at Shepherd's Path, the church campus that includes Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church.

The YMCA likely will take a year to build, according to Yvonne Anderson, community development director of the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis.Those attending the YMCA
groundbreaking ceremony
Sunday put their arms in a
"Y" as Rev. Dr. Marggi
Pleiss-Sippola dedicated the
site. (Photo by Lori Carlson) 

Rev. Dr. Marggi Pleiss-Sippola asked everyone to put their arms in the shape of a "Y" as she helped to dedicate the new YMCA. Though many YMCAs throughout the world are affiliated with churches, Kermit Mahlum, chief executive officer of Shepherd's Path, said this is the first YMCA ever to be physically connected to a church.

Participants also celebrated the first anniversary of McKenna Crossing on Sunday. The senior living facility is attached to the church and includes a cafe, a fitness center and a movie theater.