The Hanover School Divsion (HSD) is still waiting on key details, but is nonetheless excited this year's provincial budget includes the expansion of Green Valley School in Grunthal.
"This was something that was on the table, and then removed, and now back on the table to happen," says Joe Thiessen, superintendent of the division.
For sometime, the HSD, local politicians, and community members have been advocating for the school's expansion given the growing population in the area.
In 2021, the conservative provincial government announced the school would be getting a larger gym, and three new classrooms, for the start of the 2024/25 school year.
In August last year, the project was put on hold, causing uncertainty in the community.
Just this year, the HSD announced it would be reconfiguring grading in South Oaks Elementary to keep more students from feeding into the school.
"We need the classroom space, and there are some classrooms in this addition — we need that," says Thiessen. "Grunthal and Green Valley is a growing community."
He says the budget also includes renovations in the school, and the addition of a gym that meets high school athletic standards.
"(Green Valley School will) better be able to host and participate in basketball games, et cetera, with a regulation sized court and so on. So this is a big deal for the community of Grunthal, and for the school itself," he says.
The division is still waiting for clarification on details so they can tender the project, but are in conversation with the province and hope to see movement soon.
"I have appreciated the patience that the Grunthal community has had in this matter, as they've been anticipating this for quite a while now," Thiessen says.