COLUMBIA, MO. -- Families of sick children, area dignitaries and even Ronald McDonald himself celebrated the start of construction of Columbia’s new Ronald McDonald House.

Organization leaders cut a ribbon and a held a groundbreaking ceremony at the house’s future location that is in walking distance to the MU Children’s Hospital on Keene Street.

The new home will feature 18 bedrooms, an elevator, wider corridors and a playground.

The $2.6 million project is being built in 2 phases.

Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri Melody Bezenek said, “If fundraising continues to go as it has in the past, we could be open within 12 months.  We’re building this in phases.  The first phase will be 6 months long.  We’ll have the shell open for folks to come and see.”

The Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home for families with sick children.

The Columbia home has welcomed and cared for more than 25,000 families of seriously ill and injured children since opening its doors in 1983.