- Capital and facility upgrades, renovations, and construction
- Design costs that have not already been expensed and incurred no earlier than the application submission
The Recreation Partner and Facility Investment Program (RPFIP) aims to foster healthy, vibrant active communities throughout Edmonton.
The program has been designed to support the efforts of Sport and Active Recreation organizations that contribute to providing opportunities for Edmontonians to engage in Sport and Active Recreation in their communities.
Specifically, RPFIP responds to local facility rehab, development and enhancement needs and works in partnership with eligible organizations to assist communities with the acquisition, construction, enhancement/upgrade, repairs and preventive maintenance or redevelopment of Sport and Active Recreation community facilities that are available to citizens.
Budget Allocation
The total funding for the RPFIP from 2026-2030 is $14,888,762* with a breakdown of:
- 2026 - $1,988,762
- 2027 - $3,150,000
- 2028 - $3,150,000
- 2029 - $3,150,000
- 2030 - $3,150,000
Funding of up to 33% of the total project budget will be considered, depending on available funds. Projects must have a minimum project budget of $50,000 to be considered.
** funding will be confirmed with Council approval of the 2027 -2030 City budget
Application Intake Open
Intake for the Recreation Partner and Facility Investment Program is now open. The deadline for applications is March 6, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Program Overview
- Funding may be phased. Projects must have confirmed funding and can be completed in 2-4 years.
- Projects should address legislative requirements, accessibility, health and safety improvements, or focus on preservation, rehabilitation, enhancements of existing facilities (redevelopment or expansions) or construction of new facilities.
- Preference will be given to projects within Edmonton municipal boundaries. Regional projects may be considered based on benefit to Edmontonians.
With limited funds available and many eligible partners, the investment program will evaluate applicants based on the program priorities and specific alignment to the Live Active strategy core principles. Specifically, how do the programming and services that your organization offer provide opportunities that support inclusion and accessibility for Edmontonians?
2026 Recreation Partners and Facility Investment Program Guide
Grant Priorities
This investment program is aimed at increasing the accessibility of Sport and Active recreation opportunities throughout the city of Edmonton, recognizing that there is a “need for continued reinvestment in aging facilities (where appropriate, and where levels of service criteria are not being met) reflecting a standard of renewal to ensure facilities meet a basic level of service” -
Approach to Community Recreation Facility Planning in Edmonton
Also prioritized are projects that aim to assist communities with the purchase, construction, enhancement/upgrade, repairs and preventive maintenance, or redevelopment of public-use community facilities.
Sport
Organized physical activities that result in a contest between 2 or more people participating individually or as a team, governed by rules, regulations and officiating
Active Recreation
All physical activities that an individual chooses to do for fun, social interaction and fitness.
Program Outcomes
The Recreation Partner and Facility Investment Program outcomes are aligned with the City Plan and will:
- Enhance the lifespan and support the development and conservation of sustainable, environmentally friendly, public-use facilities in Edmonton for which the beneficiaries and users are primarily Edmontonians
- Stimulate Regional Prosperity, support a Healthy City and help a community of communities thrive in Edmonton
- Encourage capital projects that extend beyond City of Edmonton planned service levels and those that maintain or improve public opportunities for Sport and Active Recreation organizations
Grant Timelines
January 5-March 6, 2026
Application intake period
March-May, 2026
Review and assessment of applications
May-June, 2026
Applicants will be notified of funding decisions
Note: These timelines are subject to change.
Organizational Eligibility
- Organizations that are registered and in good standing, including not-for-profit or for-profit service providers in existence for more than 1 year
- Organizations’ primary mandate must be for sport and active recreation. The activities of the organization shall address identified sport and active recreation needs
- 75% of the organizations' membership or primary beneficiaries of its programs and services must be residents of the city of Edmonton
- The organization must demonstrate how its programs and services are inclusive and accessible
- Organizations must be willing to enter into a Funding Agreement with the City of Edmonton, meet reporting requirements, agree to provide the City with the right to audit project-related documents and agree to secure the appropriate approvals for the proposed project
- If the project budget changes, total eligible funding will also be scaled to align to the program criteria of up to 33% of eligible costs
- Eligible funding may also be phased over the RPFIP budget cycle
Ineligible Organizations
- Community Leagues (see Community League Infrastructure Program)
- Organizations whose primary focus is not sport and active recreation, such as arts, culture and heritage, education, multicultural, indigenous and social services
- Municipal departments or other governmental organizations
- Organizations that are already receiving City capital funding
- Organizations that have overdue or incomplete accounting/reporting relating to any funding previously awarded by the City of Edmonton
- Individuals
Application Criteria
Eligible Expenses
Ineligible Expenses
- Project funding cannot be used for expenses related to:
- Time and labour provided towards preparation of funding applications, fundraising including costs for fundraising campaigns and websites for fundraising purposes
- Operating costs
- Debt reduction, financing charges and/or interest payments on loans, retroactive expenses incurred prior to application submission dates
- Direct government lobbying or partisan political activities (such as, activities related to advocacy must demonstrate non-partisan approaches)
- Fittings Fixtures and Equipment (FFE) items not affixed to the building
- Strategy Phase Work - includes development of a Strategy Document with organizational profile, terms of reference, public involvement plan, project description, demographics, context analysis, activity based needs assessment, exploration of alternatives .
Ineligible Projects
- Any project that is not deemed to meet at least 1 of the outlined program outcomes
- Projects that are operational rather than capital
- Projects that are already receiving capital funding from the City of Edmonton
Required Documents
The required documents must be attached with the application form.
Projects that are on City-owned Land
Projects on City-owned land need to be at Checkpoint 2 Strategy and Concept in the Community Group Led Construction Process or have otherwise received conditional City approval to proceed.
Applicants will also be required to:
- Take information from their Community Led Construction Business Case Part 1 and Part 2 and answer questions in the application form
- Complete a Project Budget Sheet and provide written confirmation of funding sources
- Attach the organization’s most recent final Audited or Unaudited Financial Statements, signed by 2 board members
Note: please check the Community Led Construction process to confirm the above requirements are fulfilled correctly.
Projects that are on Private Land
Projects that are on private land and regional projects may be considered based on benefit to Edmontonians. Preference will be given to projects within Edmonton municipal boundaries. To be eligible for the RPFIP your project must be ‘shovel ready’ (all the necessary planning, approvals, and funding are in place, and construction can start as soon as funding is secured). The following documents and information are required.
A business case must include the following:
- Project description
- Project goals and outcomes
- Project alignment with City priorities
- Activity-based needs assessment
- Context analysis
- Public engagement (planning and design)
- Organizational profile
- Working and pre-design drawings
- Functional program
- Operational plan and costs
- Project specific studies/legislatively required reports
- Schematic and detailed design and associated reports
- Development and building permits
- Resourcing
- Key risk(s) and mitigation
Business Case Template Example
Applicants will also be required to:
- Complete a Project Budget Sheet and provide written confirmation of funding sources
- Attach the organization’s most recent final audited or unaudited financial statements, signed by the relevant delegated organization officials
- Approval from the landowner if not the applicant
Note: Incomplete business cases will not be considered.
Submit Your Application
To apply, please register for an account through the Community Investment Grant Portal.
If you already have an account, please log in with your username and password.
Applications close on Friday March 6, 2026.
After Submission
Once an applicant is confirmed to be eligible for the investment program, the application is evaluated based on program criteria, program priorities, alignment to the core principles, expected results based on the 3 program outcomes and quality of the supporting documentation provided. Organizations may be contacted if further information or clarification is required.
Note: Applicants that have overdue or incomplete accounting/reporting related to previously approved City of Edmonton funding will not be considered for new funding until their outstanding accounting and reporting requirements have been closed.
- Applicants will receive written notification of the decision regarding their application
- All decisions on investment program applications are final and no appeals will be considered
- The review and decision-making process takes approximately 2 months
Evaluation Criteria
Once an applicant is confirmed to be eligible for the investment program, the next step will be the review of the project application and business case by the Evaluation Committee according to set criteria. The applicant will be assessed and scored, and the funding approval and amount will be determined upon completion of this review.
Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Organizational Strength
Impacts of projects on programs and services, organizational stability, financial stability and governance.
Project Need and Strategic Alignment
Needs assessment, context and alternatives, user impacts and benefits, and alignment with City strategic priorities and Live Active outcomes.
Project Strength
Readiness, defined project scope, defined project outcomes, explanation and justification of project alternatives, clear schedule and key deliverables, project costs and funding plan/confirmation, project resources and management are clearly identified and risks and mitigation strategies are included.
Operational Plan
Clear operational plan and identified and accounted for costs for operations and maintenance.
Financial Analysis
Organizational financial documentation is provided for assessment and operational information is clearly identified and will be reviewed.
Reporting Requirement
Successful applicants will be responsible for reporting on their projects. Reporting is done via the Community Investment Grant Portal.
Past Grant Recipients
2025 Recipient - IQ Tennis and Pickleball Centre
2024 Recipient - Edmonton Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common reasons that an application is unsuccessful?
- Incomplete application and documentation
- Not eligible
- Not in alignment with City of Edmonton plans and priorities
- Not in Edmonton or does not serve Edmontonians
- Project is not ready or close to construction phase
- No other funding confirmed
- Project is still in planning or strategy phase
- Similar amenities or projects underway that already address a similar need
- The program's available budget is limited, meaning that only the highest-scoring projects, as determined by the comprehensive evaluation criteria, can be selected from the pool of eligible applicants.
If my application is unsuccessful, can I reapply?
Yes, if your project was unsuccessful based on the following:
- Funding - you can reapply when your project has confirmed funding
- Incomplete application - you can reapply when you have all the required documentation
- Scale or scope - you can reapply if you adjust the project
- Need - you can reapply if need becomes relevant
Can organizations from social, cultural, art, education sectors and more apply for funding?
No, only sport and active recreation organizations can apply for the funding. The funding was designated by City Council in the 2023-2026 operational budget to fund and support projects in this sector only. The funds available are limited and not intended to support other sectors.