Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program

View the print version: PDF (51.4 Kb)

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) Program provides $500 million nationally over two years to renew and upgrade community recreation facilities across Canada. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is implementing the fund in Western Canada, investing almost $153 million in recreational infrastructure projects.

Projects approved under RInC can receive up to $1 million in federal funding which will normally represent not more than one-third of project costs.  Remaining funding must be sourced from provincial or municipal governments, community organizations, or the private sector. All projects must begin and materially conclude construction before March 31, 2011.

Projects are geared towards rehabilitation or repair of existing assets, including new construction that is either adding to or replacing existing recreational infrastructure assets or capacity. Eligible project categories include arenas; gymnasia;  swimming pools; sports fields; tennis, basketball, volleyball or other sport-related specific courts; parks, fitness trails, and bike paths; and other multi-purpose facilities that have physical recreation activity as the primary rationale.

Organizations that were eligible to apply for funding under RInC included:

• Municipal and local governments, agencies, and provincial entities that provide municipal-type services to communities;
• Non-profit organizations;
• First Nation governments, including Band or Tribal Councils or their legally-designated representatives.

The deadline for submitting an application for program funding closed on June 19, 2009. A total of 1,588 RInC submissions were received by WD requesting in excess of $400 million in funding from the federal government.  As of January 29, 2010, WD has approved 718 projects, which will use all available project funds for Western Canada.

For more information, please contact:

Western Economic Diversification Canada
WD Toll-Free Number: 1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/