HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS 30-24Report to
Council
Report Number: CS 30-24 Date: September 23, 2024
From: Laura Gibbs Director, Community Services
Subject: Federal Grant Funding of Municipal Capital Projects -Green & Inclusive Community Building Program-File: A-1440-001
Recommendation:
1.That Report CS 30-24 regarding the Federal Grant Funding of Municipal Capital Projectsbe received;
2.That Council authorize staff to apply to the Green & Inclusive Community Building
Program: New Build Project for construction of the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library;
3.That Council authorize staff to apply to the Green & Inclusive Community Building
Program: Medium Retrofit Project for the O’Brien Arena retrofit;
4.That a copy of this report be forwarded to Jennifer O’Connell, MP Pickering – Uxbridge;and,
5.That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take necessaryactions as indicated in this report.
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to obtain Council authorization to submit applications to the Green & Inclusive Community Building Program (GICB) New Build Project stream and Medium Retrofit Project stream. The GICB requires proof of a Resolution of Council to provide evidence of support for the applicant to undertake the project.
The GICB New Building Project stream was identified by staff as an ideal grant opportunity to fund a portion of the planned costs for the construction of the Seaton Recreation Complex &
Library because it funds the construction of new publicly accessible community buildings for underserved and high-needs communities across Canada. The GICB will fund up to 50
percent of eligible costs for new build projects that exceed $10 million in total eligible expenses. GICB will consider projects over $25 million on a case-by-case basis. The GICB will contribute maximum grant funding of $25 million per project.
The GICB Medium Retrofit Project stream was identified by staff as an ideal grant opportunity
to fund a portion of the planned costs for the repair of the O’Brien Arena retrofit because it funds projects that range in size from $250,000 to $2,999,999 in total eligible funding and aims to achieve 25 percent in energy efficiency improvements as a result of the retrofit. The GICB
will fund up to 80 percent of eligible costs for medium retrofits up to $9,999,999.
CS 30-24 September 23, 2024
Subject: Federal Grant Funding of Municipal Capital Projects Page 2
Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priorities of Advocate for an Inclusive, Welcoming, Safe &
Healthy Community; Advance Innovation & Responsible Planning to Support a Connected, Well-Serviced Community; and Lead & Advocate for Environmental Stewardship, Innovation &
Resiliency.
Financial Implications: The below table shows the impact of receiving the maximum eligible funding from the GICB grant for the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library construction
costs:
For every dollar received in grant funding, the local taxpayer will benefit by 2.5 cents. However, this grant will reduce the City use of debt, that in-turn will preserve the City’s debt capacity to
be used in future years for new Council approved capital projects.
The City is currently undertaking a new DC Background Study with a planned completion date
of June 30, 2025. The new DC Study may shift the level of DC funding for this project.
The O’Brien retrofit project is another project that can benefit from the GICB grant. The current
estimated cost of this project is $2,900,000 and the GICB grant could fund a maximum of 80 percent, or $2,320,000, with the latter amount of $580,000 being funded by the City. If unsuccessful, the City will need to fund the total project cost.
Discussion: The purpose of this report is to obtain Council authorization to submit applications to the Green & Inclusive Community Building Fund (GICB) New Build Project stream and Medium Retrofit Project stream. The GICB requires proof of a Resolution of Council to provide evidence of support for the applicant to undertake the project.
Current
Forecast: With GICB Grant Difference
Gross Estimated Project Cost:219,550,000$ 219,550,000$ -$
Less: Grant - 25,000,000 (25,000,000)
Net Cost 219,550,000$ 194,550,000$ (25,000,000)$
Funding:
Growth Related DC Debt:
Parks & Recreaton 179,155,500 158,755,192 20,400,308
Library 34,905,000 30,930,393 3,974,607
City Share (Taxpayer)5,489,500 4,864,415 625,085
Net Funding 219,550,000$ 194,550,000$ 25,000,000$
Seaton Rec Complex - Construction
2026 Budget
CS 30-24 September 23, 2024
Subject: Federal Grant Funding of Municipal Capital Projects Page 3
1. The Green & Inclusive Community Building Fund
In 2020, the Government of Canada announced up to $1.5 billion in federal funding over five
years to establish the GICB program. On April 16, 2024, the Government of Canada released Budget 2024 which provided a $500 million top-up and extended the program until March
2029. A program intake was opened on September 4, 2024, and closes on October 16, 2024.
The GICB Program is part of Canada’s strengthened climate plan, which was introduced in December 2020 as the Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy Plan. The Program supports the first pillar of the Plan by improving the places where Canadians live and gather –
which will cut pollution, make life more affordable and create thousands of jobs in construction. As a requirement of this program, new builds need to be designed to meet net-zero carbon design standards. The Seaton Recreation Complex & Library is already being designed to
meet these requirements.
Projects in excess of $25 million are considered in cases where the federal investment can be
effectively delivered by March 31, 2029, either to complete the project or bring the project to the next phase of funding for completion where the investments are secured.
2. The Seaton Recreation Complex & Library
The Seaton Recreation Complex & Library is a new multipurpose recreation and library facility, totaling around an estimated 220,000 square feet, that will serve all Pickering residents. To be located near the current intersection of Whitevale Road and Sideline 24, this facility is envisioned to include various program amenities including 25 metre, multi-lane indoor pool
with a separate warm water leisure tank, fitness centre with a group fitness studio, two pad arena, triple gymnasium, walking track, multi-purpose program rooms, and library branch with
a full suite of services.
As per Resolution #523/24, the design phase of the project is currently underway with the
award of consulting services of Perkins + Will Canada Inc. at the Council Meeting of June 24, 2024. The Seaton Recreation Complex & Library is designed to meet net-zero carbon standards, as required by the GICB. The amenities of the new facility will be informed by the Recreation & Parks – Ten Year Plan and Library Strategic Plan, incorporating feedback and
input of residents and stakeholders, and will be subject to the approval of Council. This facility will be the first multipurpose Recreation Complex built in Pickering since the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (formerly Pickering Recreation Complex) opened in 1983.
3. The O’Brien Arena
The Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (CHDRC) is home to the Delaney and
O’Brien ice pads, which are co-located with other recreational amenities in the Complex. The Delaney Rink was constructed in 1983 (renovated in 2015) and the O’Brien Rink opened in 1992; both share common amenities including change rooms, storage areas, referee and
coach rooms, concessions, lobby entrance, and customer service reception area. The rinks do not share refrigeration systems and each ice rink has its own dedicated refrigeration plant.
CS 30-24 September 23, 2024
Subject: Federal Grant Funding of Municipal Capital Projects Page 4
The O’Brien Rink is 185 feet by 85 feet and has a seating capacity of approximately 200. This rink is used mainly by Durham West Girls Hockey and the Ajax Pickering Ringette Association.
Summer ice is only offered at the O’Brien Arena and the Delaney Rink becomes a dry pad in the summer and is used for recreational programming, ball hockey and lacrosse.
The O’Brien Arena has a planned retrofit that includes structural repairs, building envelope, and lighting. The repair and replacement of these building features will result in improved energy efficiency with improvements to the building envelope. This will reduce energy costs for the operation of this arena and improve the City’s ability to continue to offer ice all year round
with an improved facility.
Attachment: None
Prepared/Approved By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Original Signed By Original Signed By
Laura Gibbs, MBA, MSc. Brian Duffield Director, Community Services Director, Operations
Original Signed By
Stan Karwowski, MBA, CPA, CMA Director, Finance & Treasurer
LG:snc
Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council
Original Signed By
Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer