AUSTIN — Crews broke ground on a patch of land that formerly held the Gerard Academy’s recreation center Monday morning to build a new $1.2 million dormitory.

The 16-bed building, about 7,300 square feet on the ground floor, will address a lingering problem for Gerard: a long waiting list that has stuck around for three to four years.

The dorm will increase the total bed count at the academy from 77 to 93, Admissions Coordinator Loren Nerison said in early March, and will be capable of single-gender use or half boys and half girls.

While Gerard officials originally predicted the dorms would be finished by mid-August, Communications Coordinator Damien Londino-Green said they now expect the project to take longer. It should be complete by the end of September.