With a K-9 school set to be built along 32 Street next year, the Town of Okotoks couldn't be more relieved with having a school site within the town limits.

Foothills School Division and the Town came to the agreement of the new K-9 school and eventual modernization of Foothills Composite High School on Tuesday.

Mayor Bill Robertson says ever since the possibility of having a school moved outside of town, council has work diligently to keep it close to home.

"That caused some angst on our council and amongst a number of citizens and based on that we started on negotiations and they had to be confidential so we really couldn't reveal while we had those negotiations to purchase a significant piece of land to put the school on," he says.

The Town purchased 40 acres to be used for the purpose of a school, whether a high school or the K-9 school was coming in.

Robertson says at the end of the day the land they bought will have a school on it in 1.5 to two years time.

"Originally we thought the high school would go out there, but the division's greatest need is K-9 so we're pleased to support the K-9 school going out there," he says. "The land is along a corridor that is ready for twinning, it will be a very safe site and most important it's keeping kids in the Town of Okotoks."

Robertson is happy to see that school is in the town limits so students can use active transportation to get to school to promote healthy living.

He says safety of the students was council's number one priority.

"It makes for a safer, what we feel, is a better overall situation for Okotoks citizens and we're very pleased that the school board is going in this direction, certainly they're looking out for the best educational needs of all students that they educate so we're really pleased with this decision and I'd have to say council is on top of the world."

The original plan before Tuesday's decision was to have two different high schools built, one on the 32 Street site and one by the Legacy Regional Fieldhouse in Aldersyde.

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