A MULTI-MILLION-POUND project to improve a local school came to fruition last week when its new buildings were officially opened.

Amery Hill School invited more than 400 guests to be shown around its artificial turf pitch (ATP), a second drama studio, a seventh science laboratory and refurbished rooms for music, technology, and food technology.

Among the parents, neighbours, local councillors, students and members of staff, both present and former, to be given a guided tour of the new complex by prefects, was county councillor Don Allen, who performed the opening ceremony and spoke of his five-year involvement in the massive undertaking.

Outlining the fact that four sources had funded the project - £1,000,000 came from central government, £800,000 from the Eggar's Trust, and the rest from the county's refurbishment fund and Amery's own resources - he went on to commend the skill with which the old buildings had been melded with the new.

"A tour of the facilities will illustrate the outstanding work of the county architects' department in integrating the new buildings and the old," he said, giving his belief that the "outstanding facilities will be used by children for generations to come".

Amery headteacher Stephen Crabtree also addressed the visitors, commenting that "it was lovely to see the faces of our ex-students and former members of staff when they saw the new facilities".

"Those of us who work here have lived with the disruption of this major project for the last eight months and sometimes we have asked, 'Is it worth it?'

"I think everyone who has come tonight agrees that it has! We now have some of the best facilities of any school in Hampshire."

The ATP, which has been in use since the first day of term, comprises a full-size hockey pitch and is used for PE lessons as well as a hire-venue for outside sports groups.

In terms of bricks and mortar, the development has been both audacious and carefully integrated.

The two-storey new classroom block connects directly to the art and food technology facilities, providing five extra classrooms for modern foreign languages and art/textiles, while the drama department's new studio leads directly into the sports hall.

Complete refurbishments include a new music suite, equipped with music technology and including seven practice rooms; the installation of a lift and new room for technology's computer-aided design; and a completely re-fitted laboratory for the science department.

Mr Crabtree also thanked the people he considers to have played key supporting roles throughout the duration of the project.

Describing his governors, in particular Carole Tanner and Paul Buck, as "backing" him "100 per cent", he praised those at Hampshire County Council for all their hard work, paying special tribute to the efforts of architects Colin Henry and Paul Williams.

Mowlems, the contractors, were thanked for ensuring that the school continued to function throughout the building phase, as were all members of staff and pupils for their co-operation and support.

"Chris Thomas has managed the project within the school and he has been ably supported by our two site managers, Neale Horne and Peter Tarrant,' Mr Crabtree concluded.

But the journey to the grand opening has not been without its problems.

Last December, plans for the ATP ran into difficulties when a residents' group cast doubts over its financial viability. Fears were also raised about the level of noise that would be created from sports groups using the facility and the fact that residential dwellings were situated very close by.

Alton Town Council also objected to the plans, citing drainage issues and the pitch's position, near a conservation area, as potential problems.

• Amery Hill became one of just six specialist music schools in the country, in September. Members of the community are invited to attend a "Big Bash" concert in celebration, on February 10.