WESTBROOK - A groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s new middle school will be held Thursday.

The event is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. at the school site at 471 Stroudwater St.

The new multi-story building will replace Fred C. Wescott Junior High School on Bridge Street. Built in 1974, Wescott’s problems include overcrowding and an open-concept plan that is now considered inadequate.

Voters last year approved construction of the $29.6 million school building, financed almost entirely by the state, and the building of a 1,000-seat auditorium inside the school.

The new school is expected to open in 2010.