The unused Oakwood school building in south Windsor may soon be sold to the local French board.

Ontario's Ministry of Education on Thursday gave the local French public school board more than $4 million to buy a new school.

The board said there is high demand for French schooling in south Windsor.

Trustee Francois Gratton said the building closed by the Greater Essex District School Board last year would be a good solution.

"I think it's an ideal spot, but I'm not part of the negotiations," Gratton said. "I don't know how much they're asking for it."

Officially, French board executives said only that Oakwood is one site they're considering.

Warren Kennedy, of the public school board, believes Oakwood will be sold to the French board.

"They had indicated to us, very early in that process, that they were interested, but it was based on ministry funding," Kennedy said. "To the best of my knowledge, that money that they received today will be used to secure the Oakwood site."

Gyslaine Hunter-Perrault, the French board's director of education, couldn't say when the final decision will be made but the funding won't come through until the French board makes its choice.

The city continues to operate a community centre attached to the building, and said it's keen to continue the arrangement if the French board takes over the property.

It's not known if the French board will agree to a similar deal.

"In all the projects that the board has had in the past, its our board's position that we always try to work with the local people in partnership and in collaboration and I think our board has demonstrated that," said Gyslaine Hunter-Perrault.

If the city and French board can't work out a deal the city is looking at options for a new location for the community centre.