AMHERST — As she got to the podium to speak to the more than 50 people gathered at the ceremonial groundbreaking for Amherst’s new elementary school, resident and Democratic state Rep. Mindy Domb said she had goosebumps that a project to replace the 1970s-era Fort River and Wildwood schools is getting underway.

“What a long and winding road for Amherst,” Domb said, observing that when she and Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, first ran for elective office in 2018, they pledged to advocate on behalf of Amherst to the Massachusetts School Building Authority. “This new school is a testament to Amherst to create something better than we could have envisioned.”

Almost seven years to the exact day after an unsuccessful, last-gasp townwide vote put an end to plans build two, 375-student, co-located schools on the Wildwood School site on Strong Street, many came out to the 70 South East St. Fort River School site Tuesday afternoon to see the beginning of construction on the $97.5 million, three-story, 575-student, K-5 elementary school, immediately south of the existing school.

Those in attendance included most members of the Town Council and Amherst School Committee, current Fort River Principal Tammy Sullivan-Daley and Wildwood Principal Allison Estes, former Fort River Principal Diane Chamberlain and school administrators, staff, teachers, parents, students and community leaders.

Despite being a cool day with heavy cloud cover, there was nothing to dampen the spirit of those who are marking the next milestone in construction of a building that is set to open in September 2026. The groundbreaking was staged on a patch of pavement a few yards south of the current school, an area surrounded by construction fences and equipment already on site, with Gagliarducci Construction doing early site preparation work and a general contractor to be hired this summer.

While individuals were recognized for their work on the project, with much praise and applause for District 1 Councilor Cathy Schoen, who has chaired the Elementary School Building Committee, she chose to center her comments on thanking the voters and residents for their willingness to increase taxes and their fortitude in seeing the project to a successful vote, with 81% support last May.

That vote came after the earlier $66.37 million plan failed to win two-thirds support from Town Meeting. That would have had two grades 2-6 schools, with Crocker Farm School becoming an early childhood education center, opening in fall 2019 and fall 2020.

Schoen said the groundbreaking is an “incredibly exciting moment” for the project that, when complete, will mean classrooms with daylight, referencing the challenges in the current open classroom, or open quad design, 21st century teaching and ample outdoor space. The building also offers climate action and energy efficiency, with ground-source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels.

There will also be new community resources, Schoen said, such as basketball courts, playing fields, playground and trails.

Schoen also praised Donna DiNisco and her team at DiNisco Design, which listened closely to the education and community goals, and Margaret Wood at Anser Advisory, the owner’s project manager.

“This is a momentous day for the town of Amherst,” Town Manager Paul Bockelman said, pointing out that the pile of dirt over the next two years would become a sparkling, state of the art, net-zero building.

“You really show us what grace, grit and perseverance can bring to a town,” Comerford said.

Mary Pichetti, executive director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, said the state is pleased to provide about half of the funding for a building that will have flexible educational spaces in a compact and net zero design. “It is a great feeling to be here today, especially knowing the challenges you faced,” Pichetti said.

Interim Superintendent Douglas Slaughter offered appreciation to the community, while School Committee Chairwoman Sarah Marshall reflected on the current difficult educational environment that will be improved in the new building. “I can’t wait for the public open house,” Marshall said.

Council President Lynn Griesemer observed that resident Rudy Perkins has been one of a team instrumental in pushing for the net-zero building and anticipates he will be a regular presence on site to observe construction, suggesting that students may be able to join and learn about these practices.

“This is such a great day,” Griesemer said, capping off her remarks with an appeal for those present to help dig into the pile of dirt.

“Now it’s time to break ground.”

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.