Parkland School District officials, contractors, and local and state legislators, turned out for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Veterans Memorial Elementary School, on Long Lane, Upper Macungie Township.

The 90,000-square-foot building is expected open in 2020 and accommodate 700 students.

It will be the ninth elementary school in the Parkland School District.

The land was donated by the Jaindl Family and was named by David and Jackie Jaindl.

Participants in the ceremony were members of Robert M. Fegley VFW Post 8282, Breinigsville; the Jaindl Family; state Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, Ellen Millard-Kern, representing State Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th; Greg Bortz representing the Construction Management firm of Alvin H. Butz; Jamie Bortz with KCBA Architects, which designed the school, and Kathy Rader, Upper Macungie supervisor.

Also attending were Upper Macungie Township Manager Bob Ibach and state Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd.