SELMA - Town leaders cut the ribbon on the newly-renovated Richard B. Harrison Gymnasium this weekend. With a new heating and cooling system and new floors, it should be worlds different from the gym that shut its doors when the project began in August.

"It'll benefit all ages of our community," said Joe Carter, director of parks and recreation in Selma. "I just think it'll be a good place to go and exercise, a good family environment."

The improvements are already showing their worth -- last week's heavy rain would have caused swelling in the 54-year-old floors that the $582,000 renovations replaced, Carter said. And with the new heating and cooling, basketball games should be more bearable for players and spectators alike.

"It's so hard to heat that big building with what we had," Carter said. "We brought it up to speed now."

There is another new touch to the basketball floor too: its name. "Davis/Williams Court" is emblazoned on the floor in honor of former school leaders E.R. Davis and Bennie Williams.

The Herald caught up with Vivian Williams, wife of Bennie Williams, before the ribbon cutting. Bennie Williams, who died a year ago, would be proud to see the new courts, his widow said.

"It makes me feel very humbled to know that people still think about my husband," Williams said. "To me, he was the best, and he loved children, and he loved school.

"He stood for truth, he stood for fairness, and that was just him."

Williams and Davis both worked at Richard B. Harrison School before it closed, including a few years when it was still an all-black school. Williams was principal for a time, and Davis was a coach and assistant principal, Vivian Williams said.

The renovation project was in the works for years and finally came to pass with funding from a county recreation bond and a grant from the state. The improvements also include a walking trail, double-paned windows, a new interior paint job, permanent bleachers, a new office area and spruced-up restrooms.

Neuse Charter School will use the gym for its physical education programs, and the building will also host many town-sponsored activities, like basketball leagues. Plus, Carter said, people will be able to pay small fees to play and exercise during open-gym nights. Though the ribbon has been cut, the gym likely won't be open until the new year, he said.