IAMA | CRIS Special Call for Projects

Resilient Rural Centres

 

Here at IAMA we are proud to be working with CRIS to help you discover guidance and resources for long term cost savings, resilience, and sustainability  within your community.

This cohort helps local governments, and their Agricultural Society partners integrate resilience into the critical infrastructure that anchors rural life. From hockey arenas to community halls, these facilities are the heart of our communities but are often aging, energy-intensive, and vulnerable to extreme weather. This program matches you with climate experts to ensure your upgrades or new builds are ready for the future.

The IAMA CRIS Cohort Overview

Alberta has 292 agricultural societies, the most of any province in Canada, which are volunteer-run organizations serving their local communities by providing facilities (like arenas, halls) and hosting events (fairs, rodeos). The Government of Alberta offers the Agricultural Societies Infrastructure Revitalization Program (ASIRP) which provides annual capital funding to help agricultural societies make major repairs to existing infrastructure to promote one or more of following outcomes:

  • extending the useful life of the facility or infrastructure
  • addressing health or safety issues
  • improving functionality or service delivery
  • reducing operating costs

CRIS funding would align very well with the potential scope of projects funded through the ASIRP. A natural partnership may arise providing mutually beneficial results for both short term repair and reliability benefits and long term future protection against unforeseen natural disasters.

Eligibility & Who Should Apply

 

To join this cohort, the lead applicant must be a Local Government (Municipality, First Nation, or Indigenous Community) that is:

      • Partnering with a local Agricultural Society on a capital project.
      • Located in Alberta.
      • In the planning or design phase of an infrastructure project (projects already under construction are typically not eligible for design influence).
      • Committed to long term sustainability, specifically looking to increase durability against risks like heat, flooding, or storms.

Eligible Project Examples

We are seeking projects where the Local Government and Ag Society are collaborating to upgrade, retrofit, or build shared community facilities. Typical eligible projects include:

      • Multi-Use Recreation Centers: Retrofitting aging arenas, curling rinks, or riding pavilions with high-efficiency HVAC, electric boiler systems, or net-zero insulation to lower operating costs.
      • Community Halls & Kitchens: Renovating commercial kitchens and gathering spaces to serve as emergency muster points (cooling/warming centers) during climate disasters, ensuring backup power and resilient design.
      • Fairgrounds & Rodeo Grounds: Upgrading site drainage, water conservation systems, or adding renewable energy generation (solar/wind) to grandstands and outbuildings.
      • Food Security Infrastructure: Developing year-round community greenhouses or food storage facilities that require energy-efficient climate control systems.

Why Join?

By participating in this cohort, your partnership receives free expert advisory services to:

      • Lower Operational Costs: Identify energy-saving retrofits that keep facility fees affordable for the local community.
      • Protect Assets: Ensure your arena or hall can withstand extreme weather events, reducing future insurance and repair claims.
      • Unlock Funding: Receive a tailored Technical Options Report that strengthens your applications for federal and provincial capital grants (e.g., Green and Inclusive Community Buildings, CFEP).
Learn More About CRIS
Complete the Submission Form