ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Mayor Tim Keller and the New Mexico Aging and Long-term Services Department broke ground Wednesday on the new 2,000 square foot addition to the Palo Duro 50+ Sports and Fitness Center.

The fitness center is located on Albuquerque Public School property and adjacent to the McKinley Community Center. It’s operated by the City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs and provides exercise equipment and space for individual workouts that include free weights, treadmills and exercise machines. According to a news release, the additional space will provide room for exercise classes and more restrooms for the facility.

“This additional exercise space will allow us to offer more fitness opportunities to adults 50 and over in our community. This is important because regular physical activity not only decreases stress and helps people live longer, it also helps older adults maintain independence,” said Mayor Tim Keller.

The majority of the funding for the addition was provided by the New Mexico Aging and Long-term Services Department in the form of a grant for $912,500. The contractor for the project is Consolidated Builders and the architect is FBT Architects.

Officials say the project is anticipated to last about six months.