The MLA for Morden-Winkler says last week's announcement of a new K-8 school for Morden is a "big deal" for the community.

The province announced the project has moved into the design phase which assures its eventual construction.

Cameron Friesen says this project has been a long time coming.

"This school has been on my agenda since I first took office for Morden-Winkler ten years ago, but we are absolutely thrilled to have this as one of the articulated new schools that is advancing ahead. This is a good announcement and comes at a good time."

Friesen points out the K-8 school for Morden is moving forward based on the evidence of a growing community, growing population, a successful immigration program, and an industrial base that is expanding.

While he was reluctant to give a timeline for completion of the project, the Justice Minister says the province is focused on getting these new school projects to the finish line more quickly.

"Because we in this community already own the land and we've got a system in place to be able to accelerate that process by which we go to tender and then begin to build, that this will be finished sooner rather than later."

In addition to a new school, the province also announced the construction of a permanent facility for the piping trades program at Morden Collegiate and for the addition of two new classrooms at the high school.