CORONA DE TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) -- About 100 parents, students and teachers gathered Wednesday afternoon for the groundbreaking of an elementary school in Corona de Tucson.
Copper Ridge Elementary is scheduled to open in July 2016. It will be the second elementary school in Corona de Tucson within the Vail School District.
The future principal of the school, Erica Irby, says it is much needed in the community. She says there are about 1,000 students at Sycamore Elementary and it has been overcrowded for four years. About 350 Sycamore students will transfer to Copper Ridge.
The project was made possible by an $11 million bond passed by taxpayers in January 2015. Irby says it was touching to see so many families show up at the groundbreaking
"This what Corona de Tucson is about," Irby said. "It's about our tight culture, and tight family community and we like to celebrate important events. And this is one of those important events in our community."
Among those in the crowd was a parent of two future students April Bourie.
"Parents and community members and everybody have been involved from the beginning, and that makes it a better project and a better school all the way around," Bourie said.
The new school will consist of 5 buildings, designed by SWAIM Associates. According to it's website, other current projects include the Reid Park Zoo Animal Health Center and Sunrise Drive Elementary.
