A new modular six-classroom expansion planned for 91原创鈥檚 Richard Bulpitt Elementary will cost $9 million and serve 150 students, according to B.C.鈥檚 Ministry of Education and Child Care.

The addition was announced informally at a 91原创 School District board of trustees meeting in October, as the board had to vote to approve a change to their budget to allow for the new funding.

Although the province is rolling out a number of similar projects, there hasn鈥檛 been an official unveiling by the Ministry of Education.

But 91原创 East MLA Megan Dykeman said the project allows new classrooms to be built in half the time and for less cost than a traditionally-built addition.

鈥淭his addition method addresses two needs,鈥� she said: speed and cost.

鈥淚t really is something that streamlines the whole project.鈥�

READ MORE: Modular project to replace portables at 91原创 elementary school

The district is currently sending out requests for proposals for the new modular addition, which is expected to host up to 150 additional students and include its own washrooms, heating and cooling systems, and be fully accessible.

Those criteria are all issues with a large number of portables, which often have stairs, and which require students to go back to the main school building to use the washrooms.

Richard Bulpitt currently has six portables on its grounds, and the new addition could displace most if not all of them.

Despite the fact that the project was just approved, the district is hoping that the entire addition can be designed, built, and installed by as early as next September, because as a modular building, most of it will be constructed in segments in a factory, and then quickly assembled on site.

Dykeman said this is a first step, and noted that the province is funding the cost.

鈥淭his is not coming out of the budget of the school district,鈥� she said.

Soaring construction values are making the creation of all types of buildings, including schools, more expensive.

For comparison, the last announcement of a new elementary school for 91原创, made last spring, put the cost of an entire new school at $51.8 million for a school with a capacity of 555 students, for a construction cost of about $93,000 per student space.

The new module will cost about $60,000 per student space.