AKRON — The Akron Fliers have taken off on a new adventure that will eventually lead them to the opening of a new building.

Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation and Akron Elementary School officials and students gathered Wednesday afternoon, May 18, for a groundbreaking celebration kicking off the start of the building construction process.

Alongside the students were members of the community, Akron town council members and the Akron clerk-treasurer, representatives of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation and Fulton Economic Development corporation, the Akron town marshal, representatives from the Akron Revitalization Committee and county officials.

TVSC Superintendent Brett Boggs and Akron Elementary School Principal Chrissy Mills spoke briefly, highlighting different aspects of the project and thanking all who have been involved.

“Akron is a small community with a very forward thinking, progressive attitude,” Boggs said.

Mills spoke about the changes the Akron school has already gone through over the years and noted that many of the students gathered are the third or even the fourth generation to attend there. She talked about some of the work that has already begun.

“It’s bittersweet,” she said. “Especially if you’ve gone here, seeing things come down. I get kind of choked up when I see things come down, but I’m excited.”

The Tippecanoe Valley High School band performed the national anthem, opening the ceremony. They also played the old and current Akron school songs. In closing, students launched mini airplanes, representing the Akron Flyer mascot.

Students and officials also took turns standing with the ceremonial spades. The students, 17 in all, competed for the privilege, writing essays about why they wanted to be one of the hard-hat kids. One student was chosen from each classroom.

In fall, 2013, school officials began taking a look at what needed to be done to make their facilities safe and conducive to education. Taking a closer look at Akron Elementary School, they realized the building, as it stood, no longer fit these criteria.

A building project commission began meeting late last summer to determine the best way to go about upgrading the school. Contractors were chosen, plans were drawn out and bids were received. Bonds were sold to help fund the project. It was determined that part of the school would be completely demolished and rebuilt while the rest would receive an overhaul. New construction would be added on, as well.