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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFSD-029-26Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: Special Council Date of Meeting: August 10, 2026 Report Number: FSD-029-26 Authored By: Amy Burke, Supervisor, Strategic Projects Trevor Pinn, Deputy CAO/Treasurer, Finance and Technology Submitted By: Trevor Pinn, Deputy CAO/Treasurer, Finance and Technology Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number: Resolution Number: File Number: Report Subject: SBRC Parking Lot Rehab Funding Request Recommendations: 1.That Report FSD-029-26, and any related delegations or communication items, be received; 2.That up to $1,100,000 from the Parking Lot Reserve Fund be conditionally approved for Clarington’s portion of the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre Parking Lot Rehabilitation portion of the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre Inclusive Community Park project should grant funding be provided to Clarington through its application under the Build Communities Strong Fund; 3.That the Mayor and CAO be authorized to execute any agreements necessary to facilitate the acceptance of the grant funds if successful with the Build Communities Strong Fund application; and 4.That all interested parties listed in Report FSD-029-26, be advised of Council’s decision. C-211-26 Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report FSD-029-26 Report Overview 1. Background Build Communities Strong Fund 1.1 On March 30, 2026, the Government of Canada announced the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF), a national infrastructure funding program that will invest $51 billion over 10 years, beginning in 2026-2027, to support new and renewed public infrastructure across Canada. The program is designed to strengthen communities, support economic growth, increase housing supply, and improve climate resilience through investments delivered through multiple funding streams. Local Impact Funding Opportunity 1.2 Under the Direct Delivery Stream, Regional Development Agencies are responsible for administering a Local Impact Stream that supports smaller-scale community infrastructure projects delivering local economic, social, and environmental benefits. Up to $1 million in grant funding is available for projects involving the construction, expansion, or modernization of public-use infrastructure that strengthens local economies, communities, and quality of life. 1.3 In Ontario, the Local Impact Stream is administered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). The program is focused on public-use community infrastructure, including community and multi-use buildings, recreation and sport facilities, cultural infrastructure, and parks and publicly accessible outdoor spaces. Priority is placed on shovel-ready projects that can be completed within two years of their start date and that deliver demonstrated economic, social, or environmental benefits to the broader community. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report FSD-029-26 1.4 Applications are assessed based on project readiness, alignment with program objectives, anticipated community benefits, and regional economic impacts. Eligible activities include new construction, expansions, renovations, major upgrades, accessibility improvements, and other improvements that enhance the long-term performance and usability of community assets. For projects commencing on or after April 1, 2027, applications must be submitted by August 6, 2026. 2. Proposed Project 2.1 Following a review of the Municipality's capital program against the eligibility and evaluation criteria of the Local Impact Stream, staff identified the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre (SBRC) Inclusive Community Park and associated parking lot rehabilitation project as a strong candidate for funding. The project aligns closely with the program's focus on accessible public-use community infrastructure, community well- being, and investments that deliver broad social, economic, and /or environmental benefits. 2.2 The proposed project includes the construction of an Inclusive Community Park adjacent to the new Aquatic Centre, featuring a fully accessible playground and splash pad designed to serve residents of all ages and abilities. Developed with accessibility and inclusion at the forefront, the park is intended to reduce barriers to recreation through features such as barrier-free pathways and play areas, accessible seating, tactile wayfinding elements, sensory-friendly play opportunities, and shaded gathering spaces. The project will complement the accessibility features of the adjacent recreation centre and support Council's commitment to creating inclusive, welcoming public spaces for all residents. 2.3 The project also includes the rehabilitation and modernization of the existing parking lot serving Clarington Fields, the new Aquatic Centre, and the future Inclusive Community Park. Planned improvements include additional accessible parking spaces, barrier -free pedestrian and multi-use pathways, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, enhanced landscaping and greenspace, and energy-efficient LED lighting. Together, these improvements will create a safer, more accessible, sustainable, and connected community destination while supporting increased demand for recreational services in one of the Municipality's fastest-growing areas. 3. Municipal Funding Commitment 3.1 The BCSF – Local Impact Stream is a cost-shared funding program that provides non- repayable contributions of between $125,000 and $1 million per project. Federal funding typically supports up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, with applicants responsible for securing the balance of project funding from municipal and/or other eligible sources. As a condition of funding, successful applicants must confirm all sources of matching funding and execute a contribution agreement within 30 calendar days of notification of approval. Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report FSD-029-26 3.2 The Municipality's proposed application has a combined estimated value of approximately $2.7 million. The Parking Lot Rehabilitation component has an estimated total project cost of $1.32 million, of which approximately $1.1 million has not yet been authorized through an adopted capital budget. A municipal contribution toward the Inclusive Community Park component has already been secured through previously approved project funding. 3.3 While the timing of funding decisions is at the discretion of the Government of Canada, approvals are anticipated to occur in 2026 and establishing conditional budget authority through this report will ensure the Municipality is positioned to satisfy program requirements and accept a funding award should the application be successful. 3.4 The amount of Federal funding, if awarded, is at the discretion of the Government of Canada and may be lower than the amount requested through the application. Staff are therefore recommending conditional approval of the full $1.1 million municipal funding requirement associated with the Parking Lot Rehabilitation component to provide flexibility to proceed with the project should grant funding be provided in an amount less than the application and not necessitate returning to Council for direction within the program's 30-day funding confirmation period. 3.5 Conditional approval of the Parking Lot Rehabilitation component budget does not commit the Municipality to undertaking work beyond the scope of the proposed project. Rather, it establishes the funding commitment required to support the grant application and positions the Municipality to accept a funding award should one be offered. 3.6 Because the overall project includes both development charge-funded and tax- supported components, staff further recommend that Council delegate authority to the Treasurer to allocate any grant proceeds, and any resulting municipal funding offsets, among the applicable reserves and reserve funds. This approach will provide flexibility to align project financing with the final grant award while maximizing reductions to tax- supported capital funding requirements. 4. Financial Considerations 4.1 Funds for the project, if successful in the grant application, are requested from the Parking Lot Reserve Fund. This project has been included in the Municipality’s Asset Management Plan. 4.2 Conditional funding for this project is asked at this time to facilitate the grant application and begin work on the project only if it is successful. The receipt of grant funds will lower the taxpayer contribution to this project and reduce the overall draw from the reserve fund. Municipality of Clarington Page 5 Report FSD-029-26 5. Strategic Plan 5.1 The proposed funding application supports Clarington's Strategic Plan 2024–2027 by securing external funding for infrastructure improvements that enhance accessibility, recreation opportunities, and community wellbeing. The project aligns with the Strategic Plan's CONNECT and GROW RESPONSIBLY pillars by investing in inclusive community spaces and municipal infrastructure that support a resilient and complete community. 6. Climate Change 6.1 The project aligns with the Municipality's Climate Action Plan through the incorporation of sustainable transportation, accessibility, and climate adaptation features, including future electric vehicle charging infrastructure, LED lighting, enhanced pedestrian connectivity, a splash pad, shade structures, and landscaped areas. These improvements will support community wellbeing and resilience while enhancing the environmental performance of the site. 7. Concurrence This report has been reviewed by the Deputy CAO, Planning and Infrastructure Services who concurs with the recommendations. 8. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that Council conditionally approve the reserve fund usage for the parking lot rehabilitation portion of the project, if successful in receiving grant funding under the Build Communities Strong Fund and provide direction authorizing the Mayor and CAO to execute any associated agreements. Staff Contact: Trevor Pinn, CPA, CA, Deputy CAO/Treasurer, 905-623-3379 x2602 or tpinn@clarington.net. Attachments: Not Applicable Interested Parties: There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.