LOWELL | The Tri-Creek School Board moved one step closer to a new middle school this week, approving building design plans for an 80-acre site at Cline Avenue and Belshaw Road in rural West Creek Township.

With the approval, the architectural firm of Fanning/Howey Associates, of Michigan City, can move forward with the design phase, which is to be completed in December.

School officials hope to open the new school in 2010.

"This is as compact as we can get it and still have a window in every classroom," said Doug Wickstrom, of Fanning/Howey, who presented the layout recommended by the firm.

The building would be on a 20-acre footprint of the 80-acre site and total 197,000 square feet on two levels.

Lowell Middle School Principal John Alessia told the board he favors the recommended layout.

Wickstrom suggested that the building, as laid out, would comfortably accommodate 1,300 students. Currently, the middle school has 906 students, up by 50 from the last school year.

Both Wickstrom and Alessia noted that the plan allows for expansion or additional buildings.

The construction cost for the school is estimated at about $28.3 million, and the site costs are estimated at $3.5 million.