Skip to content

City to apply for feasibility funding on potential green projects

North Battleford will be taking advantage of some funding opportunities made possible through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Fund.
city hall pic

North Battleford will be taking advantage of some funding opportunities made possible through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Fund.

City council members voted in favour July 15 to apply to the Green Municipal Fund for funding for a feasibility study on potential energy efficient projects for the city of North Battleford.

The FCM Green Fund recently received $1.01 billion in additional funding from the federal budget. According to a city memo from Director of Finance Steve Brown, the fund directs investments to municipal projects around climate change, energy efficient projects and greenhouse gas emissions.

Representatives from Eco-West, a national non-profit based out of Winnipeg, came to City Hall to discuss those funding opportunities in June. They were also on hand at Monday’s council meeting. Eco-West is contracted by FCM to be the regional facilitator of Green Fund money into western Canada.

The funding could help move forward a number of green initiatives in the city. Potential projects include lighting in some or all city-owned buildings, solar panel installation at the wastewater treatment plant, and energy recovery systems at the field house, performing arts centre and aquatic centre.

The estimated cost of a feasibility study is between $60,000 and $80,000. FCM would pick up 50 per cent of the cost and the city plans to use gas tax money for the remaining portion. The deadline to apply to the Green Municipal Fund is Aug. 1.

City council members expressed enthusiasm about the potential that could result from the funding.

“I think this in the long run is going to create a better community for us that really is meeting our needs, financially and just looking at our environment. I’m excited to see this and look at where this can go,” said Councillor Kent Lindgren.