Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Today marks the day of the official opening of the new Owen Marsh Elementary School, celebrating the completion of a project leaders say will serve students for generations.

Students, staff, community members and the Marsh family gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the new building, located next to the original school that has served the community for nearly 60 years.

Superintendent Jennifer Gill thanked architects, builders, teachers and families who helped bring the project to completion after more than a year of construction.

“This is a new start to a new day today, as you get to open up the doors to your new school,” Gill said during the ceremony.

Gill said the district worked closely with Farnsworth Group and O’Shea Builders throughout the project. She also credited the community for supporting the district’s one-cent sales tax initiative that helped fund school improvements across Springfield.

The new building includes several dedicated spaces honoring longtime supporters of the school and district, including the Martha Heavi library, the Laura Shemmer STEM lab and Diane Rutledge Commons areas throughout classroom floors.

Owen Marsh Principal Wendy Conaway said teachers and students helped shape ideas for the new building.

“They incorporated so many of the ideas that not only myself had, but many of our teachers and even student ideas into the new building,” Conaway said.

Conaway said the school’s updated layout and technology will improve daily operations and learning opportunities for students. The building features separate gymnasium and cafeteria spaces, an improvement that frees up the daily master schedule, and expanded learning areas and a new multimedia center.

Students were scheduled to tour the building with their families following the public ceremony during a school picnic event. 

The original Owen Marsh Elementary building will eventually be demolished and replaced with two circular play lots designed to honor the former school’s layout, according to Conaway.

The school continues to carry the name of former Springfield school board member Owen Marsh, who was recognized during the ceremony for his contributions to public education and civil rights efforts in the community.

“It makes us proud, and it makes us proud they’re continuing with his name,” said Deana Deiler, Marsh’s niece.

Jeff Marsh, grandson of Owen Marsh said the family is honored the district chose to keep the Owen Marsh name for the new building.

“Being able to look over there and seeing your grandfather’s name is very special,” Marsh said.