Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (Stream 1) Repair and Rehabilitation

The Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) Stream 1 provides cost-shared capital grants to repair and rehabilitate existing sport and recreation facilities across Ontario. Eligible municipalities, Indigenous communities, and non-profit organizations can request between $100,000 and $1 million to improve facility safety, accessibility, functionality, and community recreation opportunities.

About the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund

The Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) Stream 1: Repair and Rehabilitation is a capital funding program delivered by the Ontario Ministry of Sport.

The program is designed to extend the useful life of existing community sport and recreation infrastructure and ensure that facilities remain safe, accessible, and available for public use.

Funding supports projects that address critical repairs and improve the quality of spaces used for sport, physical activity, recreation, and community programming.

The program also aims to:

Improve access to sport and recreation opportunities.
Enhance accessibility and health and safety.
Address deteriorating or outdated infrastructure.
Support local construction and related employment.
Strengthen community facilities for long-term use.
Improve programming opportunities for Ontarians of all ages.

What Does CSRIF Stream 1 Fund?

Stream 1 focuses specifically on repair and rehabilitation of existing sport and recreation infrastructure.

Examples of potentially eligible projects include:

Critical repairs to existing facilities.
Installation or replacement of HVAC systems.
Resurfacing of playing fields.
Installation of accessible washrooms.
Replacement of outdated playground structures.
Rehabilitation of existing sport and recreation spaces.
Other capital improvements that extend the life and usability of eligible facilities.

Projects should demonstrate a clear community need and improve the condition, accessibility, safety, or functionality of an existing facility.

Grant Amount and Cost Sharing

Applicants can request between $100,000 and $1 million.

The maximum provincial contribution depends on the type of applicant:

Municipalities, local services boards, and not-for-profit organizations: up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Indigenous organizations and communities: up to 90% of eligible project costs.

Applicants are therefore responsible for providing the required share of project costs from other eligible sources.

CSRIF funding is provided through milestone-based installments. A 10% holdback is released after the project has been completed and the required final report has been submitted.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

Municipalities in Ontario.
Local services boards.
Indigenous communities.
Indigenous organizations.
Not-for-profit organizations incorporated for at least one year.
Eligible not-for-profit organizations with their head office in Ontario.

Applicants must also meet important facility ownership and management requirements.

The applicant must:

Own the facility or have a qualifying long-term leasehold interest.
Be responsible for operating or managing the facility.
Use the facility primarily for publicly accessible sport or recreation purposes.
Demonstrate that the proposed project addresses a genuine community infrastructure need.

For not-for-profit applicants, the organization must have been incorporated for at least one year.

What Types of Facilities Can Benefit?

CSRIF Stream 1 is intended for existing community sport and recreation infrastructure that is primarily accessible to the public.

Potential facilities may include spaces used for:

Community sports.
Recreation programs.
Physical activity.
Outdoor recreation.
Youth recreation.
Community-based sport programming.
Public playground and recreation activities.

The proposed work should be directly connected to repairing, rehabilitating, or improving the existing infrastructure.

Project Completion Requirements

Approved projects must be completed within 24 months of approval.

In all cases, projects must be completed no later than March 31, 2029.

Applicants should therefore have a realistic project schedule and demonstrate that the proposed work can be completed within the required timeframe.

Application Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate:

Ownership or qualifying long-term leasehold interest in the facility.
Responsibility for facility operation or management.
The condition and current needs of the facility.
The community need for the proposed improvements.
How the project will improve sport and recreation opportunities.
How the project will address accessibility, health, or safety.
Project costs and the proposed funding contribution.
A realistic implementation and completion schedule.

Supporting documentation may be required to demonstrate facility ownership, project costs, organizational eligibility, and the proposed scope of work.

How to Apply

Eligible organizations should follow the official CSRIF application process provided by the Ontario Ministry of Sport.

Step 1: Confirm applicant eligibility

Determine whether your organization qualifies as a municipality, local services board, Indigenous organization or community, or eligible not-for-profit organization.

Step 2: Confirm facility eligibility

Ensure that the facility is an existing sport or recreation facility that is primarily open to the public and that your organization owns or has an appropriate long-term leasehold interest.

Step 3: Define the rehabilitation project

Clearly identify the infrastructure problem and explain the specific repairs or improvements required.

For example, an applicant could propose HVAC improvements, field resurfacing, accessible washroom upgrades, or replacement of an outdated playground structure.

Step 4: Develop the project budget

Prepare a detailed budget showing the total eligible project costs, the amount requested from CSRIF, and the applicant’s required contribution.

Step 5: Demonstrate community impact

Explain how the project will improve safety, accessibility, participation, programming, or long-term use of the facility.

Step 6: Submit the application

Complete the required application and provide all supporting documentation before the applicable deadline.

Only one application per eligible applicant is permitted for Stream 1 during an intake period.

Important Funding Conditions

Applicants should keep the following conditions in mind:

Funding requests must be between $100,000 and $1 million.
Municipalities, local services boards, and eligible not-for-profits can receive up to 50% of eligible costs.
Indigenous organizations and communities can receive up to 90% of eligible costs.
Projects must be completed within 24 months of approval.
All projects must be completed by March 31, 2029.
Funding is paid according to project milestones.
A 10% funding holdback applies until project completion and submission of the final report.
An eligible applicant can submit only one Stream 1 application per intake period.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by avoiding common application problems.

Applying for ineligible work: Make sure the proposal focuses on repair or rehabilitation of existing infrastructure.
Unclear ownership: Provide evidence that the applicant owns or has the required long-term leasehold interest.
Weak community justification: Clearly explain who uses the facility and why the improvements are needed.
Incomplete budgets: Provide realistic project costs and identify the required matching contribution.
Unrealistic timelines: Ensure the project can be completed within the required 24-month period.
Ignoring accessibility: Where relevant, explain how the project will improve accessibility and inclusive participation.
Submitting multiple applications: Eligible applicants should submit only one Stream 1 application during an intake period.

Why the Program Matters

Community sport and recreation facilities provide important spaces for physical activity, social connection, youth development, and community participation. However, aging infrastructure can limit access and create safety, accessibility, and maintenance challenges.

CSRIF Stream 1 helps communities address these issues by investing in existing facilities rather than allowing infrastructure to deteriorate further.

For municipalities, Indigenous communities, and eligible non-profit organizations, the program can provide substantial capital support for projects that improve the long-term quality and usability of community recreation infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CSRIF Stream 1?

CSRIF Stream 1 is an Ontario capital funding program that supports the repair and rehabilitation of existing community sport and recreation facilities.

How much funding can applicants request?

Applicants can request between $100,000 and $1 million.

What percentage of project costs can CSRIF cover?

The provincial contribution can cover up to 50% of eligible costs for municipalities, local services boards, and eligible not-for-profit organizations. Indigenous organizations and communities may receive up to 90%.

Who can apply for CSRIF Stream 1?

Eligible applicants include Ontario municipalities, local services boards, Indigenous communities and organizations, and qualifying not-for-profit organizations incorporated for at least one year with a head office in Ontario.

Can an organization apply if it leases the facility?

Yes, an applicant may be eligible if it has a qualifying long-term leasehold interest and is responsible for operating or managing the facility.

How long do approved projects have to be completed?

Projects must be completed within 24 months of approval and no later than March 31, 2029.

How many applications can an applicant submit?

Only one application per eligible applicant is permitted for CSRIF Stream 1 during an intake period.

Conclusion

The Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund Stream 1 provides significant capital support for communities across Ontario seeking to repair and rehabilitate existing sport and recreation facilities. With funding of up to $1 million, and higher cost-sharing support available to Indigenous applicants, the program can help improve safety, accessibility, infrastructure quality, and public participation in recreation.

Eligible applicants should focus on clearly demonstrating the condition of the facility, the community need, the proposed rehabilitation work, the project budget, and the expected benefits. A well-planned project that meets the eligibility and completion requirements can help preserve important community infrastructure and expand access to sport and recreation opportunities across Ontario.