Some big news in Okotoks Wednesday, as the Town announced the tentative purchase of a 40-acre parcel of land, earmarked for what's called an "educational, recreational and cultural campus."

The land is situation near the North boundary of Okotoks, on the West side of 32nd Street near Holy Trinity Academy.

Town CAO Rick Quail says Council is very excited to take a step forward in facilitating growth in Okotoks.

"We can comprehensively plan for long-term community growth and public facility needs," he says. "Of course, with an eye in particular towards an an immediate look for a high school facility, to address the high school needs in our community."

Quail says the site could be an alternative to the land next to the Legacy Regional Field House near Aldersyde, which was the original proposed site for a new high school.

"The growing need for education facilities was a major motivation for Council to look at acquiring the land, as compared to the traditional approach of obtaining land through the municipal reserve dedication process that comes with subdivision," he says.

The land is currently owned by the Wedderburn family, and Quail says Council is very grateful for the family's ongoing support.

"The Wedderburn family has provided a strong contribution to assist us in doing long-term comprehensive planning, and making sure that we've got adequate land to meet not just our high school needs, but also our elementary school need, and to provide options for us into the future."

Quail says the offer is still conditional on the M.D. of Foothills' consent, and it could be awhile before the deal is official.

In a release from the Town, Mayor Bill Robertson says "We want to thank the Wedderburn family for their ongoing support of this community as they have been active local community builders and avid sports fans. They are thrilled that the land will be used for a community campus where current and future generations will enjoy this public space."

The Town says it will work closely with school divisions to determine what their top needs are, and the land could be developed in the next year or two.