At first look, renderings for a new school building in the Seneca Valley School District are breathtaking.

Large glass areas, rustic wooden siding and bright light-blue paint — the school’s colors — adorn the outside of the massive two-winged building.

It’s a far cry from the Evans City elementary and middle school buildings it will replace.

There, despite much effort and maintenance, the building has fallen victim to time.

Inside, the new building offers divided classroom spaces that are intended to flow into common areas. The goal, officials said during a Seneca Valley School Board meeting this week, is to promote an atmosphere of collaboration and engagement with others.

There also is a focus on incorporating technology into all facets of the building, while also maintaining the traditional educational tools. The building itself will be a teaching tool, with lessons based on science, engineering and sustainability.

The building’s appearance in the renderings has created a stir in the community, a concept not new to the project itself.

As officials were considering the location of the building, residents of Evans City fought to keep their school open. Moving out of the borough, they said, could lead to a loss of business and sense of community. Still others voiced concerns about access at the Ehrman Road site, and the impact the new building would have on traffic and neighbors there.

Others have taken issue with the perceived extravagance of the building, and its more than $75 million price tag. Seeing and hearing about the bells and whistles the school will have, it appears there are ways to decrease that number, they said.

After all, these are taxpayer dollars being used.

However, we believe district officials are doing their due diligence on this project, and making the tough decisions necessary to address the anticipated growth in the district.

Earlier this year, officials with the U.S. Census Bureau estimated Cranberry Township will see its population increase from around 30,000 to 50,000 by 2030.

That number doesn’t include other district communities such as Jackson Township, where development is staying in step with its neighbor to the south.

With the increase, the district is poised to grow even more. Demographics indicate that growth will consist of young families with children who are of elementary to middle school age.

The new school building addresses the impending need for more space and classrooms.

It also addresses the changing educational needs of modern students.

A large part of the area’s growth is associated with international companies setting up shop in the region.

The Pittsburgh area has become a hub for robotics and automation, and the new Seneca Valley building will allow for better instruction targeted at those careers.

After all, the ultimate goal is to keep students here after their education is completed and that education must prepare them to compete at a global level.

Perhaps most importantly, the new building aims to create a sense of community and camaraderie that many have voiced fear over losing.

Undoubtedly, losing a community school building in Evans City is tough to see — particularly one that served as a centerpiece of sorts for residents there.

However, to hear district officials tell it, they want the new building to bring together not just residents of Evans City, but from throughout the district.

They want a community atmosphere that knows no dividing lines, with students coming together to learn and work.

That collaborative spirit — and the educational opportunities the building will provide — only stand to help better educate students in the district and prepare them for life after the classroom.