At four in the afternoon on Tuesday, several people braved the rays of the sun, meeting in a sweaty group on the north side of the old Iowa Juvenile Home. It was the ceremonial groundbreaking for South Tama’s brand new middle school.

After beginning with some words from South Tama Superintendent John Cain, the ceremony moved along rather quickly due to the heat. Cain remarked on the heat, stating how South Tama’s Middle school staff and students had to suffer without air conditioning for only a little while longer. The school is projected to be completed by the summer of 2025.

Garling Construction is contracted for $25,669,000 to complete the work in this next phase. For what has seemed like a long journey, this Tuesday was a big step forward towards having a middle school the whole community can be proud of.