Huntsville Seeks Funding for Building Retrofit Plans with Some Municipal Costs Expected

The funding will help cover some costs associated with retrofitting town facilities

Huntsville staff recommended the Town seek external funding to support detailed energy audits and retrofit planning for municipal buildings, in the March 25, 2026, General Committee meeting.

The initiative was outlined in a staff report, which highlights the next steps in implementing the Town's Regional Climate Change Mitigation Plan (RCCMP). Staff have applied for two funding opportunities aimed at offsetting the cost of developing facility-specific retrofit plans for Town-owned buildings.

These plans are intended to guide future capital projects by identifying the most effective ways to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions across municipal facilities. While the RCCMP provides high-level direction, the report notes that more detailed, building-by-building analysis is needed to support budgeting and long-term asset planning.

The first funding opportunity is through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), which offers grants covering up to 80 per cent of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $150,000. If approved at the maximum level, the Town would be responsible for contributing approximately $37,500.

Staff indicated that most of this amount could be offset through external rebates, with the remaining portion to be funded through reserves.

A second application has been submitted to the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), which would fully fund an energy audit and retrofit plan for Utterson Hall. That facility has been identified as a priority due to its condition and reliance on propane heating, with potential upgrades expected to reduce both emissions and operating costs.

If successful, the funding would support retrofit planning for several municipal buildings, including the Canada Summit Centre, Civic Centre, and library.

These plans would outline potential improvements such as heat pumps, solar installations, and building envelope upgrades, along with projected costs and timelines.

The report notes that there are no immediate capital costs associated with the applications themselves. However, future retrofit projects identified through the plans would be brought forward through the Town's budget process for Council consideration.