The Winnipeg School Division has voted to begin creating an elite hockey academy at Kelvin High School. 

The program will be the first Hockey Canada Sport School Program in the division. 

All trustees but one voted for the plan. Trustee Dean Koshelanyk said he likes the idea, but does not believe the board was given enough time to make the decision.

Koshelanyk said he will ultimately support the outcome of the vote.

"Often when I was coaching, I would see our players go off to Saskatchewan, BC, Alberta. And also thought, why don't we have one of those in Winnipeg," said Koshelanyk.

It will be a partnership between the division and RINK Hockey Academy, a for-profit organization created in 2009. 

The plan is register two teams of 22 students in 2016. 

Students have to be in Grades 10 to 12. 

Trustee Sherri Rollins voted for the program and believes it will provide an arena for growing local talent.

"We’re a hockey town and it goes without saying we have to develop some of our elite athletes to play in the two sports teams that we have, the Moose and the Winnipeg Jets," said Rollins.

Students from Manitoba will be given preference, but any remaining spots will be open to students from other parts of Canada. 

Student not living in WSD would have to pay transfer fees to the division, and students outside of Winnipeg would have to pay a non-resident fee to WSD. 

Tuition at the academy will cost between $16,000 and $20,000 per year, payable to RINK Hockey Academy. 

WSD said tuition for a typical hockey academy is between $28,000 and $40,000. 

A Memorandum of Understanding Agreement will be developed next as the project moves forward.