A sound that may strike a nostalgic note with many people in Portage la Prairie will echo the streets again come August.

The old city hall bell that was decommissioned about eight years ago because of the effect ringing it had on the integrity of the building is having an electric stationary bell ringer system installed, Portage Mayor Irvine Ferris says. The new ringer will allow the bell to ring without swinging, which eliminates the risk of structural issues. The project is being financed in part by an $8,000 Canada 150 grant.

"Anybody that grew up in Portage will remember this bell used to ring at 9 a.m., at noon, at 6 p.m., then again at 9 p.m.," recalls Mayor Ferris. "For kids in those days that was kind of a cue to be home for supper, or to be in school, or to be home for bed time ... this funding will get our bell ringing again."

Ferris notes the bell will start ringing again by mid-August. As for the historic timing, there's no word yet if it will stay intact.

"I'm guessing it will be quite close to that," Ferris adds.