There’s a long and illustrious history with expansion at Eagle Lake Elementary.

Built in 1964, the school remained untouched until 1988 when four temporary classrooms were placed on the grounds. Twenty years later, the temporary classrooms are still in use.

In 1992, Eagle Lake enjoyed a facelift, adding six classrooms and upgrading its cafeteria, gymnasium and media center. Again in 2005, two more classrooms were added to accommodate all-day kindergarten.

But the latest expansion — the one that officially kicked off Friday with a ceremonial groundbreaking — is certainly the most exciting.

“It’s a celebration of learning,” said Eagle Lake Principal Ginnette Kearney.

The students, no doubt, were excited about the prospect of a new-look school when they return in the fall. With all of them bedecked in bright yellow, paper-plate hard hats, a few were even invited to help toss the first shovelfuls of dirt.

But Kearney said she was most excited about additional educational space.

With the school nearing capacity, hallways and spare spaces were becoming cramped. With the nearly $4 million expansion, the school will have seven additional classrooms — so Eagle Lake can accommodate three sections of each grade — as well as an expanded cafeteria, media center, computer lab and early childhood area.

Madison Lake mayor Kenneth Reichel — himself an Eagle Lake graduate — and Eagle Lake mayor Tim Auringer were excited about the school as an economic development tool.

“We’re lucky to have this school in our city,” Auringer said. “It’s an asset and a lot of people tell us that.”

Funding for the expansion was approved when district residents approved a $33 million bond referendum in April of 2008. The referendum also included funding for a new elementary on Mankato’s east side as well as renovations to the science areas at Mankato West and the installation of an elevator at Mankato East.

The groundbreaking for the new elementary school will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday at the site of the new school, located on Heron Drive and within a mile south of Stadium Road between Monks Avenue and Pohl Road.