Students at Dellwood Middle School may enjoy a new gymnasium and science wing within the year as the Ministry of Works and Engineering moves forward on plans for the school.

The Ministry re-submitted plans for the two new buildings for Planning approval on January 14.

The gym, changing rooms and science labs were originally to be part of the $5 million renovation plan which converted the former primary school to a middle school.

Those renovations were completed in 1999 and the school unveiled its new "cafetorium", design and tech building and music room in an event-packed Open House that February.

Plans for the gymnasium, changing rooms and science labs were put on the back burner since then but Works Minister Alex Scott said yesterday they are moving ahead "expeditiously".

The proposed buildings will be connected and located diagonally to one another.

The new gym will add 6,732 square feet to the property and include a sprung wood floor and fold-up bleachers. Male and female changing rooms are to be located on the ground floor of the adjacent building and a physiotherapy area will be located in between. Above the changing rooms will be two new science labs separated by a changing area.

The changing rooms/science labs building will add another 4,500 square feet to the property.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering re-applied for Planning approval as the past approval for the project had expired.

Mr. Scott said, barring delays in the Planning process, he hoped to have approval, put the work out to tender and find a contractor within two months. Future plans for the school include the construction of outdoor tennis and basketball courts on the present field. "Right now they are really eager for the gymnasium," said Mr. Scott.