The ground has been broken on a multi-million dollar recreation centre in Orillia.

Officials broke ground on Wednesday on the $53 million, 140,000 square foot facility. It’s estimated that 150 people will work on the project.

When it’s complete there will be an aquatic centre, two NBA sized gymnasiums, a track, fitness room, office space and multi-purpose rooms. The facility will be built in the heart of the city.

“We're building a community centre with a social heart,” says Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke. “We've waited for decades.”

Construction has already started and people could see the building start to go up in six months.

The target for completion is the summer of 2018.