The Portage la Prairie School Division has received at $50,000 federal grant from Employment and Social Development Canada for a new accessible entrance for Portage Collegiate's east building. 

Superintendent Todd Cuddington explains the details of what's to come. 

"The plan is to include new [automated] vestibule exterior doors, so a person can press and the doors will open," says Cuddington. "A concrete ramp, and new stairs, as well as a parking area immediately adjacent to the steps." 

Cuddington notes the project will come with a price tag of around $250,000 in total. He notes the grant will help ease some of that amount, but he says it's been a financial priority for the division. 

"Accessibility has really been a priority, making our buildings more accessible to the public," Cuddington says. "The board had already identified this project, so it'll be helpful to have the additional federal monies to go toward it." 

Cuddington says construction on the new entrance is slated to start this summer.