Support Program for the Replacement or Modification of Refrigeration Systems in Arenas and Curling Centres

• Volet 1: preliminary cost estimate, feasibility study signed by a member in good standing of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, vulnerability profile, and project schedule
• Volet 1: resolution presenting the application, plus a municipal support resolution when the project is presented by an OBNL, a school organization, or an arrondissement
• Volet 1: required government or ministerial authorizations, if applicable, and confirmation of acceptance from Transition énergétique Québec, if applicable
• Volet 2: report from a recognized professional establishing that the works are urgent and required, preliminary cost estimate based on Uniformat II, level 2 or another acceptable detailed format, and project schedule

Who is eligible?

• Municipal organizations
• School organizations
• Non-profit organizations

Who is not eligible

• Organizations listed in the Registre des entreprises non admissibles (RENA)
• Organizations that, in the two years before the application, failed to respect their obligations after being duly notified in connection with prior financial assistance from the Ministry
• Organizations that are not mentioned as admissible in Chapter II, Section I

Eligible expenses

• Acquisition, installation, or conversion of refrigeration equipment and heat recovery equipment
• Construction, expansion, or reconfiguration of the mechanical room, including surveying when an expansion is required
• Dismantling and removal of the existing refrigeration system
• Renovation and code-compliance work essential to continue operations or required to protect user safety or the integrity of the building
• Professional fees for a recognized professional to prepare a feasibility study, plans and specifications, supervise the work, or manage the project

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Reconstruction or new construction works
• Direct costs incurred before final authorization
• Land acquisition, servitudes, rights-of-way, rental of land, buildings, or other facilities, movable equipment, furniture, urban furniture, landscaping, major road, water and sewer works, and land decontamination
• Lobbyist remuneration, services or works normally carried out by the organization or its agent, and works on commercial spaces
• Incidental costs incurred more than 18 months before application receipt, legal fees, routine maintenance and operating costs, temporary financing interest and related fees, refundable taxes or other refundable amounts, in-kind commitments, employee salaries or other remuneration, cost overruns, and works similar to those funded by a ministry or public body in the previous 10 years

• Effectiveness of the proposed replacement measures, including energy savings, durability, safety, environmental impacts, and planned heat recovery
• Compliance with current safety standards
• Response to local sports and recreation needs
• Accessibility of the installation for multiple user groups and coordination among partners
• The organization's financial capacity and the local financial contribution

• Complete the application form available on the Ministry website.
• Submit the form with all the documents listed in Chapter V, Section II, by the deadline shown on the website for the call for projects.

• The project is authorized in two written stages: a letter of intent and a letter of final authorization.
• The letter of intent approves the concept, confirms project eligibility and the maximum aid envisaged, and can be cancelled if final authorization is not obtained within two years. Before final authorization, the work cannot start and no direct costs can be incurred.
• The letter of final authorization is issued only after the required documents have been transmitted; after analysis, the minister may require modifications to the project and confirms the nature and extent of the work and the maximum aid granted. It can be cancelled if no direct cost is incurred within one year of signature.
• To obtain the aid, the organization must sign a financial assistance agreement and comply with related obligations, including insurance and, if requested, meeting minutes, accident modelling, a danger study, and an emergency plan.
• After the work is completed and the expenses are invoiced and paid, the organization submits a payment request with the required supporting documents; the minister reviews the actual costs and may accept a request covering at least 80% of the authorized aid. The organization must also produce the accountability report including the project summary, results, evaluation against program objectives, costs and funding sources.

• The program is no longer accepting new applications.
• A project concept is approved first by a letter of intent.
• Final approval is confirmed by a letter of final authorization.
• Funding requires a signed financial assistance agreement.