MT. VERNON — A big crowd was on-hand Wednesday night for the ribbon cutting ceremony and open house showcasing the new Casey Middle School gymnasium. The gym project was just one of multiple being done in the district when voters passed leaving 23-cents on the tax levy.

Superintendent of Mt. Vernon City Schools, Aletta Lawrence kicked off the ceremony by recognizing current and past contributors that helped turn the dream of a new gym into a reality.

CMS Principal Mary McGreer says the ceremony is a commencement of hard work by all parties involved and the gym will have a lasting effect on the community.

The ceremony was capped off by the first official basket being shot (and made) by Assistant Principal, and graduate of CMS, Scott Williams.

The previous gym was built when the main building was constructed back in the 1930’s. The gym project is estimated to have come in under budget, which allows the district to use remaining money to work on projects from the district’s health, life, and safety list of required school upgrades.