Students at U.S. Jones will now enjoy a cool breeze during P.E. thanks to a grant, which helped purchase air conditioning for the gym.

The energy grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs paid $50,000 of the project’s $80,000 price tag. The city school system absorbed the additional money through capital funds.

“This air conditioning unit has been a long time coming,” Superintendent Al Griffin said.

Butch Grimes served as architect on the project, while Darren Anderson of Anderson Heating and Cooling handled the installation.

Friday morning students had air conditioning in the gym for the first time.

“They were so excited it was not so hot,” Tammy Causey, P.E. instructor said.

Grimes said it was satisfying to know he had a hand in the air conditioning unit at the school.

“There was nothing more satisfying than seeing the look on those kids faces,” he said.

The school system is pursuing an additional grant to install air conditioning at Demopolis Middle School and should hear back on that application later this year.