HAMPTON -- While it may have been raining outside, it didn’t dampen the spirits of those who came out to celebrate the new 25 classroom math and science addition at Winnacunnet High School.

"We waited a long time for this," said SAU 21 Superintendent James Gaylord.

Roughly 100 residents came out Wednesday night for the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new building.

It is another big step in the completion of a $26 million construction and renovation project that has been going on at the school for last two years.

Winnacunnet School Board Chairman Chris Singleton said this building is even better than the new gym that opened last year.

"When we had the dedication for the gym, that was good," Singleton said. "But the real hallmark of this project is what you are standing in right now."

Singleton said it is no secret that the school needed more classrooms, especially with the 18 modular classrooms that surround the building.

"The biggest cheer of all came from my office staff when the first portable classroom went out last week," Gaylord said.

Thirteen classrooms will be dedicated to science while 12 will make up the math department.

Singleton thanked the voters and the Winnacunnet Outreach Committee, which worked to get the project passed in all four communities.

"I want to recognize everyone who made this project happen," Singleton said. "I also want to recognize the students and staff at Winnacunnet. They had to grin and bear a lot over the last year."

Jerry McConnell, who worked on the outreach committee, said he was happy to see this day finally come.

"This has been worth every minute of time that I have spent on the outreach committee to help get the warrant article passed," McConnell said. "Just seeing this now, it’s well worth everything.

After the dedication, students and faculty took residents on a tour of the new building.

The tour also included the new gym and new dining hall.