Big-Time Groundbreaking: There aren’t many groundbreakings that...

Big-Time Groundbreaking: There aren’t many groundbreakings that draw big-time developers Arthur B. Birtcher, co-chairman of Laguna Niguel’s Birtcher; Anthony R. Moiso, president of the huge land-owning Santa Margarita Co., and hamburger magnate Carl N. Karcher.

Those people and more, however, showed up this week for the groundbreaking of an extension of the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center in Santa Ana. The center, run by the Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart, is the only one in Southern California that concentrates on developing the faith of Roman Catholic children.

The center, at 2927 S. Greenville St. near South Coast Plaza, has been open since 1979. The expansion will add 25,000 square feet, including an assembly room, dining hall, playing field and living space for the sisters. They hope for up to 29,000 visitors a year when the $3.8-million expansion is finished.

Birtcher, Moiso and other local heavy hitters--including County Supervisor Thomas F. Riley and home-builders Al and Jim Baldwin--raised $4.3 million for the construction and for the sisters’ work. Birtcher’s construction company is general contractor on the project.