SENECA — The smell of new paint and materials greeted visitors to Seneca Grade School's North Campus Sunday afternoon.

While the school officially starts a new year Wednesday, students and their families, school district leaders and teachers gathered at the facility for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the school's 48,000-square foot addition, which is now open for use after about 14 months of construction.

To kick off the afternoon, Seneca Community Consolidated School District #170 Superintendent Eric Misener thanked all who were involved in the project, from community members and neighbors to staff and those who took part in the design and construction.