Ottawa Construction News staff writer
The City of Ottawa has submitted its first round of project applications and expressions of interest to the federal government’s new Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF), targeting millions of dollars in potential funding for local transit, recreation, and road infrastructure projects.
In a memo to the Mayor and Members of Council dated July 31, 2016, Tammy Rose, general manager of Infrastructure and Water Services, outlined the city’s strategy to leverage the $51-billion federal fund over the next decade.
The BCSF, introduced in the 2025 Federal Budget, provides funding under different streams to strengthen communities, support economic growth, accelerate housing construction, upgrade public services, and enhance transportation networks and climate resilience.
“City staff have completed a thorough assessment of the program and criteria,” Rose noted in the memo. “Based on this analysis, the City is participating in two funding opportunities under the program: Direct Delivery stream… and Local Impact stream.”
Under the Direct Delivery stream—which covers up to 40 per cent of eligible costs for shovel-ready projects delivering long-term public benefits—Ottawa submitted 12 applications prior to the July 20 deadline. The submitted applications represent significant future bidding and construction opportunities across the city.
To prepare for subsequent funding intakes, the city is also submitting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for 13 larger, long-term capital projects. Furthermore, under the Local Impact stream—administered by FedDev Ontario to support smaller shovel-ready community projects with up to 50 per cent funding (capped at $1 million)—the city selected the Eugene Martineau Fieldhouse project in Ward 13.
“By establishing this pipeline of future projects at this stage, the City will be well positioned to respond quickly and strategically when the next application intake opens,” Rose stated.
Below is the complete list of projects submitted for applications and expressions of interest across all streams.
Direct Delivery Stream: Submitted applications
The following 12 projects have been submitted for federal funding consideration under the first intake of the Direct Delivery stream. Eligible projects could receive up to 40 per cent in federal funding matches.
| Ward | Project Name | Total Project Cost | Funding Request |
| 3 | Water’s Bend Park, Ottawa, ON | $9,200,000 | $3,312,000 |
| 4, 6, 16, 19, 23 | Pedestrian Crossovers, Traffic Calming and Accessibility Upgrades Across Multiple Locations | $1,636,000 | $590,000 |
| 6 | Carp Road and Hazeldean Road intersection upgrade, Ottawa, ON | $10,000,000 | $3,600,000 |
| 7 | Shoreline Erosion Rehabilitation project – Construction of erosion control measures at Britannia Pier, Ottawa | $1,583,350 | $570,000 |
| 8 | Pinecrest Park Splash Pad | $580,000 | $210,000 |
| 10 | Greenboro Pk wading pool & spray pad | $2,074,000 | $748,000 |
| 16 | Walkley Modifications: Riverside to LRT (Airport Parkway Widening Phase 1) | $24,200,000 | $8,712,000 |
| 16 | Alexander Community Centre expansion and upgrades, Ottawa, ON | $19,900,000 | $6,840,000 |
| 17 | Aberdeen Pavilion Rehabilitation | $39,900,000 | $14,364,000 |
| 19 | Francois Dupuis District Park | $12,695,000 | $4,570,000 |
| 20 | Metcalfe CC & Larry Robinson Arena Expansion | $9,661,747 | $3,266,000 |
| 21 | Manotick Main Street and Bridgeport/Antochi Lane | $7,200,000 | $2,592,000 |
Direct Delivery Stream: Expressions of Interest (Pipeline projects)
The city is submitting 13 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for projects that are currently in planning or development. These projects reflect potential future bidding opportunities during upcoming BCSF intakes.
| Ward | Project Name / Details | Total Project Cost | Funding Request |
| 1 | Trim Road Bridge with connection to Station | $70,000,000 | $25,200,000 |
| 2 | Decarie Park and Beauclair Park, Pathway renewals | $505,000 | $181,800 |
| 2, 11, 19 | Blair Rd Transit priority & HOV lanes | $60,000,000 | $21,600,000 |
| 4, 10, 13, 23 | Sidewalks & Pathways Bundle 1:
• Ward 4: Beaverbrook Rd (Both Sidewalks) Design from Weslock Way to Teron Rd
• Ward 10: Albion Rd (East Sidewalk) Design from Pebble Rd to Johnston Rd
• Ward 13: Presland Rd (Both Sidewalks) Design from Lola St to Frances St
• Ward 23: Rothesay Dr (Both Sidewalks) at Old Colony Rd |
$1,686,000 | $606,960 |
| 11 | Gailea Momolu Skateboard Park | $4,250,000 | $1,080,000 |
| 4, 7, 11, 12 | Sidewalks & Pathways Bundle 2:
• Ward 4: Pathway renewal along Steacie Drive (between Teron Road to the Steacie Drive turnaround)
• Ward 7: Sidewalk renewal on Dumaurier Avenue (north sidewalk between Pinecrest Road to ~490m west of Pinecrest Road) and on Ramsey Crescent (both sidewalks)
• Ward 11: Pathway renewal with new lighting along 1600 James Naismith Drive (between Telesat Court and Eugene Street)
• Ward 12: Sidewalk renewal along 180 York Street and 383 Cumberland Street |
$2,890,000 | $1,040,400 |
| 4 | Bill Teron Park | $1,500,000 | $540,000 |
| 6 | Fernbank District Park | $10,612,000 | $3,820,320 |
| 12 | Carillon Park Improvement | $765,322 | $275,500 |
| 12 | ByWard Market Redevelopment Program | $200,000,000+ | $72,000,000+ |
| 19 | Brian Coburn Boulevard Sidewalk Connections | $169,000 | $60,840 |
| 22 | Riverside South Library and Community Centre | $43,400,000 | $15,624,000 |
| 23 | Bridgestone and Eagleson Intersection | $2,600,000 | $936,000 |
Local Impact Stream application
Municipalities are limited to one application per intake under the FedDev Ontario-administered Local Impact stream. The city selected the multi-use Eugene Martineau Fieldhouse project as its sole submission.
| Ward | Project Name | Scope & Details | Total Project Cost | Funding Request |
| 13 | Eugene Martineau Fieldhouse | Multi-use facility including flexible community meeting/gathering space, programming kitchenette, skating changerooms, equipment storage, and public washrooms. Includes new pedestrian connections to Mikinak multi-use pathway and internal park pathways. Located west of existing rink/basketball court. | $2,169,000 | $1,000,000 |
City staff confirmed they will continue to monitor future intake windows, refine project readiness across departments, and update Council as federal funding decisions are announced.
