Bensalem Council unanimously approved preliminary and final land development for School Lane Charter School’s renovation and expansion project on Monday evening. The project will turn an abandoned skating rink next to the school’s current location into 14 classrooms.

According to a release, parents, children and other SLCS supporters filled the seats in council chambers and cheered after the vote was taken.

Charter school representatives appeared before council on May 21, when more than a dozen commenters spoke in favor of the renovation plan. The issue was tabled until Monday evening as Bensalem Council asked for more time to review the traffic study.

The expansion will go a long way toward reducing the number of students on the waiting list. SLCS currently enrolls 596 students, abiding by a township-imposed cap set in 2006.

With the expansion project, 2350 Bristol Pike, the site of the former Cornwells Skating Center, will get a much-needed facelift. The site will be home to grades six through eight and as part of the land development plan, council will allow the school to add 304 more students to its roster, bringing the total enrollment to 900. SLCS currently has an extensive waiting list of 463 students.