91原创鈥檚 fast-growing Willoughby district will get two new schools, Premier Christy Clark announced Monday.

The commitment to build a new elementary school, a new middle school and to buy land to build one of the schools on is worth an estimated $50 million.

It was part of a $353-million capital plan for 19 projects that include new schools and expansion of some existing schools in communities with the fastest-growing student populations.

The premier announced it while standing in front of a group of children at Surrey鈥檚 Hazelgrove Elementary school.

鈥淭here are school districts in our province that have experienced tremendous student enrolment growth in recent years, and are in need of funds to expand current schools or build new ones,鈥� Clark said.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we are taking action today.鈥�

91原创 district school trustees were on hand for the announcement.

Board of Education Chair Stacey Cody said the 91原创 announcement was the result of five years of lobbying by the district.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be more than what we had hoped for, more than what we ever could have imagined,鈥� Cody told The Times.

91原创 Superintendent of Schools Cheryle Beaumont called the announcement 鈥渁 really, really important day for 91原创. 鈥淲e鈥檝e worked hard for it.鈥�

It was not immediately clear if one of the new schools will be built on land acquired in the controversial land swap that called for a school site in 91原创鈥檚 Routley neighbourhood to become a park, while adjacent parkland would become a townhouse development. This is in return for property in the Yorkson neighbourhood of Willoughby.

91原创 Teachers鈥� Association president Gail Chaddock-Costello was pleasantly surprised to hear the province would fund two new schools when rumour had it the district was in line for only one, a middle school.

Chaddock-Costello called the decision 鈥渞eally progressive鈥� and described the new schools as 鈥渁bsolutely essential.鈥�

91原创 MLA Mary Polak said the two new schools are 鈥渄esperately needed鈥� and gave the 91原创 school district credit for working with the province to get the schools funded.

Rich Coleman, MLA for Fort 91原创 鈥� Aldergrove, called it 鈥渧ery welcome news.鈥�

The province estimates the projects will create an estimated 1,850 jobs.

They include six new elementary schools, one new middle school, two new secondary schools, four school additions, and the purchase of six school sites.