The First Responders Memorial Stone will have names of those who lost their lives in the line of duty. Submitted photo

The groundbreaking ceremony for the First Responders Memorial Stone and Shelter project by Butler AM Rotary will take place at Alameda Park 2 p.m. Friday, April 22.

The memorial and pavilion seek to honor those in law enforcement, emergency services and fire departments who lost their lives in the line of duty serving Butler County.

The First Responders Memorial Stone and Shelter will replace the Holly Shelter in Alameda Park. The shelter should be constructed by spring of this year. Submitted photo

Lisa Campbell, Rotary member and past club president, said the project was taken on after first responders approached the club about recognizing those lost.

“This is a project that touched the hearts of many in the club,” she said.

The First Responders Shelter will be twice the size of the 75-person Holly Shelter it’s replacing in Alameda Park, and the First Responders Memorial Stone will list the names of those who lost their lives serving in all three disciplines.

The goal of the groundbreaking ceremony is to recognize the sponsors who have helped raise funds to make the $120,000 project possible. Jeff Geibel, vice president of the Butler AM Rotary and "Rotarian in charge" of the project, said county Commissioner Kevin Boozel, Butler County Community College President Nick Neupauer, and Emergency Management Association director Steve Bicehouse plan to speak at the ceremony.

“Certain guests will be invited ... we’re hoping to have the pavilion up in spring and the memorial by fall,” he said.

“We really want to give recognition to why (the memorial) is important to the county and to the sponsors,” Campbell said.

Geibel added that a dedication ceremony for the Memorial Stone is planned for October, ideally on First Responders Day, Oct. 28. The event will be geared toward first responders and include a ribbon-cutting.