The federal government has committed $10 million to help reduce energy emissions in a sports complex in Brampton.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Federation of Canadian Municipalities President Scott Pearce announced funding for retrofits to the Susan Fennell Sportsplex, formerly the South Fletcher’s Sportsplex, through the Green Municipal Fund's Community Buildings Retrofit initiative.

The retrofits are expected to transform the nearly 30-year-old multi-purpose building into a state-of-the-art zero-carbon facility. The project will electrify the facility's gas-powered equipment, including boilers and ice resurfacers, install a geothermal system, as well as upgrade the ice rink refrigeration plants, air handling units, heat pumps, lighting, and other systems.

Through a combination of energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy measures and carbon offers, the city aims to reduce the facility's carbon footprint and create a model for other recreational facilities as part of its long-term goal towards zero carbon transition.

The upgrades are expected to reduce operating costs and carbon emissions by 91% annually, with the remaining 9% savings achieved through carbon offsets. The reductions equal about 550 cars taken off the road for one year, or 30,000 trees grown for 10 years.

"The energy transition is underway in communities across Canada, and the City of Brampton is committed to doing its part to create a cleaner, more sustainable future for everyone to enjoy,” said Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown. “We are thrilled to receive this $10 million investment from the Government of Canada and FCM. The upgrades to Susan Fennell Sportsplex are another step toward meeting our net-zero goals while ensuring this facility is prepared to serve Bramptonians for generations to come."

The retrofits are funded by the Green Municipal Fund, which is administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities through an endowment by the Government of Canada.

The Community Buildings Retrofit initiative is part of a $950 million federal investment in FCM's Green Municipal Fund and is designed to scale up energy-efficiency and lower emissions across Canada.