Backgrounder: Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in Ontario

May 11, 2009

Through the RInC Program Ontario, the Government of Canada has committed to supporting Ontario's communities and creating jobs through upgrades to existing recreation facilities over the next two years.

The RInC Program in Ontario will provide a timely, targeted stimulus to the economy, through investments that will spur construction activity related to existing recreational infrastructure. Beyond economic stimulus and job creation, renewing, rehabilitating and modernizing our recreational infrastructure has the additional benefit of encouraging higher levels of participation in physical activity and community building.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provided $500 million over two years for the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program to support upgrading and renewal of recreational facilities in communities across Canada. The allocation for Ontario for this construction season is $68 million. Funding over the next two years will be allocated based on applications submitted from Ontario communities. Projects will be selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness.

The Government of Canada can fund up to one third of a project's total eligible cost up to a maximum of $1 million per project, with recipients providing the remaining balance.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants
  • Municipalities
  • Counties
  • First Nations governments
  • Community organizations
  • Not-for-profit entities
• Eligible Projects
  • Arenas
  • Swimming pools
  • Gymnasiums
  • Sports fields
  • Parks, fitness trails and bike paths
  • Tennis, basketball, volleyball or other sport-specific courts
  • Other multi-purpose facilities that have physical recreation activity as the Primary rationale
• Eligible projects must also:
  • Be for the rehabilitation or repair of existing infrastructure, including new construction that adds to or replaces existing recreational infrastructure capacity;
  • Begin and materially conclude construction before March 31, 2011; and,
  • Be incremental (that the work to be undertaken is an incremental construction activity that would otherwise have not been constructed by March 31, 2011, were it not for funding under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program in Ontario).

Application

There is no limit to how many applications can be submitted under the RInC Program in Ontario. However, applicants who choose to submit more than one application should rank them in order of priority. Applicants must complete a streamlined application form, outlining how the project meets the requirements outlined above, and submit an attestation confirming the project is incremental. The application form is available online at www.rinc-on.ca. Applications should be submitted by email to infrastructure@ic.gc.ca or by fax at 416-973-6505. Should you require a paper copy, please call 1-888-300-9308.

Deadline

To maximize the number of recipients able to take advantage of the 2009 construction season, projects submitted before 5:00 p.m. EST on May 29, 2009, will be reviewed immediately with approved projects to be announced in June 2009.

Projects that come in after May 29, 2009, will be assessed and those approved will be announced on an ongoing basis.

Selection Criteria

Projects will be assessed on the degree to which they meet the eligibility requirements described above as well as the following selection criteria:

• Project readiness
• Incrementality
• Extent to which other funding is leveraged
• Public health and safety
• Energy efficiency
• Accessibility
• Percentage of funding that can be spent in 09/10
• Extending the life of the infrastructure

For more information, please refer to the Program Guide available on the web site at www.rinc-on.ca, email infrastructure@ic.gc.ca or call 1-888-300-9308.