The Town of Olds recently received a $15,015 grant from the federal government to make the town office more wheelchair accessible.
The funds came from the Enabling Accessibility Fund, a $45 million pool the federal government established in 2007. The fund ran out in 2010 but was extended until 2013.
“Overall the project is designed to improve access (to the town office) for people who have disabilities in our community,” said Barbara Hill, the town's director of community services.
The project includes modifying the ramp at the front of the office to make it easier for wheelchairs to gain access, installing more push buttons at the front and back entrances and washrooms, and lowering the drop box at the town office.
The town is currently putting tendering documents together. Hill estimated the project could be completed by the end of June, but couldn't say, at this point, when the work might begin.
“Once our suppliers have all the equipment that they need, it will be a couple weeks (to complete the work),” she said.
In addition to the federal grant, the town has allocated $2,500 for the project.
"Overall the project is designed to improve access (to the town office) for people who have disabilities in our community."Barbara Hill, director of Community Services, Town of Olds