Ottawa’s RA Centre gets $2.4 million for energy improvements

Ontario Construction News staff writer

Ottawa’s RA Centre has received more than $2.4 million from the federal government for energy-improvement retrofits.

Improvements to the facility’s energy and heating systems will reduce energy usage by about 20 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 364 tonnes annually.

“The RA is very excited to be the recipient of Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Grant,” RA Centre CEO Tosha Rhodenizer said in a statement. “The $2.39-million grant combined with the expertise of our partners will transform and modernize critical infrastructure in the RA Centre resulting in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by over 40 per cent and will also introduce green technologies creating a campus more resilient to an ever-changing climate.

Through its programming, the RA Centre offers various recreational opportunities to residents of all ages and abilities in the community.

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program will provide $1.5 billion over five years to green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and construction of new publicly accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across Canada.

Applicants with large retrofit projects to existing community buildings or new community building projects with total eligible costs ranging from $3 million to $25 million were accepted through a competitive intake process which closed on July 6, 2021. A second intake is planned, however, the date has not yet been determined. Details about the second intake will be published to the Infrastructure Canada – Green and Inclusive Community Buildings’ website as soon as they become available.

Applications for small and medium retrofit projects to existing community buildings ranging in total eligible cost from $100,000 to $2,999,999 will be accepted and funded on a rolling intake basis.

“The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program promotes the use of innovative, clean solutions to help Canada adapt to a greener, low-carbon economy,” said David McGuinty, Ottawa South MP. “Retrofits to the RA Centre will reduce the facility’s energy usage and lower greenhouse gas emissions, allowing the Centre to provide accessible recreational programs in a modern green facility.”

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