Once the red ribbon was cut and the first tours were under way, students Jaiden and Janae Taylor joined the wide-eyed procession inside Center School District’s new Indian Creek Elementary School Thursday as some of the most precious guests.

After all, as Principal Angela Price had declared amid the long list of thank-yous to everyone who had made this day possible, this was a community’s investment in children.

“This is all about you!” she said, shouting out to her “Bulldog scholars” in the crowd at the ribbon cutting. “This is for you!”

So what did Jaiden, 11, and Janae, 9, make of this bond-issue-funded gift?

“Really nice,” said Janae. “The bathrooms were outstanding — fantastic.”

Yes, Jaiden agreed, “the bathrooms looked really fancy. And the outdoor classroom was really nice.”

Said Janae: “The art room looked really nice, too.”

Jaiden: “All the classrooms are awesome.”

Janae: “The bathrooms. I can’t even stop talking about those.”

And then, summing it all up for all of the children as well as teachers and staff — and LINC staff — who will begin the first day of classes Monday, Janae said: “I think I’m going to really like it.”

Center devoted $20 million out of a $48 million bond issue passed in April 2019 to the construction of the new school, built on the same grounds as the former school at 98th Street and Grand Avenue.

The bond issue passed overwhelmingly, by more than 80%, and community patrons, parents, teachers, staff and administrators all were involved in imagining the building with the architect firm Hollis + Miller and the construction team of Newkirk and Novak.

This “momentous day,” Center Superintendent Yolanda Cargile said, marked the “coming together as a community — seeing a need and solving a need.”

The new Indian Creek — the first new building construction in Center in 50 years — is double the size of the old building, with open spaces for classroom collaborations, maker spaces for creativity, a high-ceilinged gym, and an open-air outdoor classroom.

That will also mean more space and opportunities for LINC’s before- and after-school programs as well.

“I know it’s going to help a lot of kids here to be able to expand their education and intelligence,” said LINC’s Caring Communities Coordinator Ne’Kye Sheppard. “It’s going to make more room for teachers to think out of the box and get more creative with activities. And hopefully we can build more community partner friendships with those around us.”

Parent Vanecia Codner joined the ribbon-cutting tour with her children, Alex, 9, and Za’Nyla, 5, and came away thrilled at what she saw.

“It was absolutely awesome,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this. We’re excited. The kids are excited — excited for the new year.”

Center School Board President Ronald Fritz said the building showed the community’s belief in the children, education and the school district.

“Thank you — parent and patrons of our district — for your support and commitment for all our students and the staff of Center School District,” he said. “Thank you for making this possible.”

The result is simply “a wonderful and beautiful place,” Price said. “I’m excited about what the future holds for our students to learn in this space. They’re going to continue to be amazing.”

By Joe Robertson/LINC Writer

Video edited by Bryan Shepard