MARION — The effort to fund and build improvements to the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center is off to a hot start.

Having kicked off the fundraising with a $50,000 donation, the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging have already raised $70,000 for a new pavilion at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center, which is expected to cost $150,000.

The 26x36 foot pavilion will be placed along an upcoming one-eighth-mile, asphalt walking path that will be installed around the front lawn of the community center.

Representatives of the Marion COA, Select Board, and Community Preservation Committee broke ground for the walking path on Tuesday, Aug. 10. The path has already been fully funded, with the bulk of the $50,000 cost being paid by funding from the Community Preservation Act.

“Because of covid, we really became aware that we needed a place where we could do outdoor programming,” said Dianne Cosman, a board member of the Friends of Marion COA. Adding of the walking trail, “we’re hoping it will give older adults a place to exercise.”

To help with funding for the pavilion, the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging will hold a fundraising event, “An Evening on Sippican Harbor,” at 1 Water St. on Aug. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m.

“It’s a beautiful home, one of the big mansions on the harbor,” said Cosman of the venue, adding her thanks to the owners of the property for hosting.

The event will feature refreshments and live music and will celebrate the Council on Aging’s past accomplishments in addition to raising money for its future endeavors.

Tickets for the fundraiser are $40 and may be purchased at the Marion General Store, Kate’s Simple Eats and Mimis.

“We wanted to keep tickets affordable,” said Cosman, to make the event accessible to the whole community.

Funding for the walking path is already complete and construction is underway. The path is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

The improvements to the community center aim to provide better usage of the center for young people and seniors alike.

Those who wish to make a donation can do so by forwarding a check payable to FMCOA, and mailing it to P.O. Box 937, Marion, MA 02738. Please note in “Pavilion” in the memo portion of the check.