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Construction crews had loosened up a patch of dirt outside the west wing of the Cook County Schools complex on December 10 in preparation for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Cook County Family YMCA. Under gray skies and snow, representatives from the Cook County Board of Commissioners, the Grand Marais City Council, Independent School District 166, the Duluth Area YMCA, and the Cook County Community Center Steering Committee as well as project architects and consultants threw shovelsful of dirt into the air. (L-R) Commissioner Fritz Sobanja, Grand Marais Mayor Larry Carlson, Commissioner Sue Hakes, Duluth Area YMCA Director Chris Francis, School District 166 Superintendent Beth Schwarz, Community Center Steering Committee Chair Paul Sporn, Commissioner Jim Johnson. “It’s been rough, but we’ve proved to the community that we can work together,” said County Commissioner Jim Johnson. A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house are expected to take place sometime next winter.