SCARBOROUGH – The grand opening of the new 163,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Wentworth School in Scarborough, home to more than 700 students in grades 3-5, drew hundreds of parents, students and staff members for a ribbon-cutting and open house on Oct. 18.

A parent of a former Wentworth student, who attended the event with her daughter, said she was impressed with the new school layout and said she wished that her daughter, who is now in seventh grade, could have experienced the new facility.

“I think the town deserves a nice school,” said Caroline Poirier. “We are very happy with the results.”

“There is so much space, and it’s organized,” said her daughter, Sophie Poirier.

Students and staff gave tours of the new school, pointing out key areas including the gymnasium, 40 classrooms, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) labs, art rooms, music and band rooms, as well as the library and learning commons. A new playground was also constructed on the grounds, and the facility has been outfitted with interactive technology and an up-to-date security system.

Anne-Mayre Dexter, who retired as Wentworth’s principal earlier this year, led the ribbon cutting ceremony, which was attended by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins who praised the community’s efforts to provide “this marvelous new school dedicated to the students of today and of the years to come.”

“Opportunity abounds,” Collins said of the new facility. “Even though this building has that new school smell, it is already steeped in tradition. Dr. Benjamin Wentworth was a dedicated physician and a committed citizen. His legacy of service, like his name, transferred from the old school to the new (school).”

After four years of planning, campaigning and designing, the new school opened for business on Sept. 2, replacing the original Wentworth School that was built in the early 1960s. Problems at the old school included a leaky roof, inefficient heating and cooling, asbestos, mold and air quality issues, high carbon dioxide levels, space deficiencies and more.

In November 2011, Scarborough voters overwhelmingly approved a $39.1 million bond question to build a safer, more spacious and energy-efficient school. The total project cost came in under budget, at $35 million, and was completely funded by local taxpayers. Construction began in October 2012.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, interim principal Kelli Crosby thanked everyone who gave his or her “time and talents to make this dream a reality,” including the 40-plus members of the building committee, as well as architects and contractors, school staff, community members and students.

“It was not until the moment that our students walked through those doors for the first time on Sept. 2, 2014, that this state-of-the-art, green, healthy and beautiful facility became a school,” said Crosby. “We are so proud.”

One parent, Bob Cook, from Scarborough, said he is looking forward to the opportunities that the new Wentworth School will provide for his son Daniel, a third-grader. Cook, who attended the old Wentworth School years ago, is impressed with the size of the school and the new technology it provides, he said.

“I like the big gym and big playground,” added his son, Daniel Cook.

“I really like this school,” said a future third-grader, Marc Twombly.

His mother, Robin Twombly, who took a tour of the school, said, “I think it’s a great environment. My son will be here next year, and I am looking forward to him learning in a modern environment and taking advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities. I am excited for him that he gets that opportunity.”

Building Committee Chairman Paul Koziell said the project officially began in 2010 when the committee formed, to recognize and identify the several deficiencies at the old facility. Four years later, he is pleased with the results.

“We have built a smart school, which provides a safer, more secure environment for our staff and children,” said Koziell. “We have built a smart school which operates much more efficiently and has better, updated facilities and technology.”

“Job well done,” he added.

“This is very exciting,” said parent Paul Stratis, who grew up in Scarborough and attended the old Wentworth School, which he said was too small to meet the students’ needs. The new school, he said, will allow space for student growth.

“I think they built it very smart,” Stratis said of the facility. “It’s a beautiful school.”

George Entwistle, superintendent, lauded Scarborough residents for making an investment in Wentworth’s “clean, bright, solid and safe learning environment.”

In addition, he said the Scarborough community should be recognized for its foresight “about what it really takes to educate children in this 21st century, and for their understanding that community commitment is absolutely essential to preparing our future workforce for Maine and beyond.”

Joanne Murphy, mother of Liam, a third-grader, and Logan, a first-grader who will attend the new school in a couple of years, said, “It’s gorgeous.”

“It’s been great for all of our kids to watch the entire building process, and to watch it evolve,” said another parent, Jen Shumway. “It’s very exciting.”

She and her husband, Bryan Shumway, are particularly impressed with the new learning commons and the opportunities it will provide for their children.

“It’s just a really inspirational, quiet place to focus,” said Bryan Shumway. “It’s a facility that we can be proud of, and it really lets the kids know that they matter. This is going to set the kids up to be very successful.”

Anne-Mayre Dexter, retired Wentworth School principal, and other dignitaries cut the ribbon during a grand opening ceremony of the new state-of-the-art facility on Oct. 18.  Wentworth School third-grader Liam Murphy, left, and his younger brother, Logan, a first-grader, play on the xylophones in the school’s new music room on Oct. 18 during an open house.