WBRZ - Baton Rouge

ST. AMANT- The first day of school in Ascension Parish started with a bang for the Wildcats of St. Amant Middle, who got their first look at their renovated school.

The kids had to deal with a construction zone for about a year, while the school got a face lift.

"It was crazy, but I'm really happy to have the new one, it makes it so much easier to walk and not have to run," said Zoe Tapp, a 7th grader at St. Amant Middle.

The construction connected two classroom wings and the gym, which was originally built in the 1930s. The gym got a fresh look too, something athletes are happy to see.

"It's got air conditioning, so it's gonna be a lot cooler in here, so you can be more active and you won't get winded as easily," said Myles Douglas.

The construction was paid for by a $100 million bond renewal passed by voters in 2009.