Northern Development is pleased to advise that Western Economic Diversification is now accepting applications to the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program. Direct website links for program information and application forms are provided below.

Municipalities, regional districts, First Nations and non‐profit groups in central and northern BC can also access Northern Development’s Community Halls and Recreation Facilities program for RInC projects that focus on:

• improving or expanding existing facilities;
• increasing the number of events held annually in the community; and
• contributing to service sector revenues in the local economy.   

RInC Application Information

Intake Deadlines

• Please take note of the RInC intake deadline of May 29, 2009. 
• RInC Projects that require more time to develop will have until June 19, 2009.

RInC Program Information
http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/11264.asp

RInC Application Form
http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/images/content/11264a-eng.pdf

RInC Application Instructions
http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/11266.asp

Schedule A (required for non-profits)
http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/11265.asp#b

Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/11268.asp

Northern Development Application Information

Intake Deadline

Northern Development’s next intake deadline for the Community Halls and Recreation Facilities program is June 19, 2009

Community Halls and Recreation Facilities Program Information
http://northerndevelopment.bc.ca/community-funding/community-halls-and-recreation-facilities

Recreational Infrastructure Canada

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program provides $500 million nationally for projects to rehabilitate recreational facilities across Canada that can be completed by March 31, 2011.

Through RInC, the Government of Canada has committed to supporting upgrades and repairs to existing recreational assets.

The program is designed to provide a timely, targeted stimulus to the economy, and to help mitigate the impacts of the global economic recession by increasing the total amount of construction activity related to recreational infrastructure. Through the rehabilitation of recreational infrastructure, this program also encourages participation in physical activity and community building.

The initial RInC allocation for Western Canada, to be delivered by Western Economic Diversification Canada, is almost $54 million. The remaining funding, over the next two years, will be allocated based on the number of applications submitted to the Department. Projects will be selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness.  

The federal government will fund up to 33 per cent of eligible costs. The remaining funding will need to be sourced from provincial or municipal governments, community organizations, or the private sector. The maximum federal contribution to any one project under this program will be $1 million.

Program Eligibility

• Municipal and local governments, agencies, and provincial entities that provide municipal-type services to communities;
• Not-for-profit entity;
• First Nation governments, Band or Tribal Councils, or their legally-designated representatives

• Arenas                                                                           
• Gymnasia
• Swimming pools
• Sports fields
• Tennis, basketball, volleyball or other sport-specific courts;
• Parks, fitness trails, and bike paths;
• Other multi-purpose facilities that have physical recreation activity as the primary rationale.

• Fall under one of the above eligible categories;
• Normally be for the rehabilitation or repair of existing infrastructure, including new construction that is either adding to or replacing existing recreational infrastructure assets or capacity;
• Begin and materially conclude construction before March 31, 2011; and,
• Not have otherwise occurred, as proposed, without support from the RInC program, i.e. be incremental.

Application

Projects must meet the mandatory requirements as outlined in program eligibility section. Furthermore, projects will be recommended and approved on the basis of merit. The application form is available online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca. Project proposals are due by May 29, 2009 and projects needing more time to develop have until June 19, 2009.  

Project Selection

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements described above, projects will be assessed on:

• construction-readiness;
• planned completion date;
• incrementality; and,
• the extent to which other funding is leveraged.

Depending on the volume of applications received, other criteria may be applied. 

WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca
Email: rinc-ilc@wd-deo.gc.ca