Ottawa’s RA Centre has received more than $2 million in funding from the federal government to perform a series of energy-improvement retrofits.

The funding was announced on November 15.

Improvements to the facility’s energy and heating systems will allow the RA Centre to reduce its energy usage and consumption by an estimated 20%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 364 tonnes annually. The project is designed according to sustainability and climate-resiliency principles, aiming to be net-zero by 2030.

“The RA is very excited to be the recipient of Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Grant announced by the Honorable Steven MacKinnon,” said Tosha Rhodenizer, Chief Executive Officer, RA Centre. “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% and will also introduce green technologies creating a campus more resilient to an ever-changing climate.”

The project is being funded through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.

The program provides $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across Canada.

At least 10 percent of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.

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 in July 2021.

Details about a second intake will be published to the Infrastructure Canada – Green and Inclusive Community Buildings’ website as soon as they become available.