Beat the Heat Spotlight – Fire Stations, Drinking Water, Recreation, Energy
This summer has already been very hot, and as heat waves continue Ontario municipalities are investing in core infrastructure to help residents keep cool.
The CCBF enables municipal projects like repairing drinking water pipes, upgrading air conditioning units, building splash pads, and renovating fire stations.
Check out some highlights below, and to dive deeper read the full Ten-Year Outcomes Report.
Drinking Water
More than 60,000 km of pipes carry water between treatment plants and communities across the province each year, and an estimated 31.5 per cent of drinking water assets are not in a state of good repair.
The CCBF helps municipalities invest in rehabilitating or replacing this infrastructure to improve reliability, boost water pressure, and reduce water loss. Between 2014 and 2023 this included 160km of watermain, three water towers, and 37 water treatment plants.
Recent projects are the Watermain Replacement in Red Lake and Water Treatment Plant Efficiency Upgrades in Haldimand County.
These investments ensure the continued safety of Ontario’s water supply and help keep Ontarians hydrated in hot weather.
Community Energy
The CCBF has helped municipalities take advantage of innovative technology solutions to improve municipal energy systems like heating and cooling in municipal facilities and at the same time reduce annual energy consumption.
Investments from 2014 to 2023 helped upgrade energy systems in 547 community centres, replace 268,000 streetlights, install solar panels on 26 facilities, and more.
Recent projects include LED Retrofits in Collingwood Buildings and Energy Retrofits at Senior Living Apartments in Durham Region.
Recreation
Ontario municipalities own and operate more than 14,000 parks and outdoor recreation areas that are great places to beat the heat.
Between 2014 and 2023, they invested the CCBF in 176 playgrounds, 34 pools, 14 splash pads, and much more. Investments like these help ensure continued access to organized and unorganized recreational activities in every community.
Recent projects include significant renovations to decades-old pools in Windsor and Welland.
Fire Stations
More than 30,000 municipal firefighters provide emergency response services across the province. Fires are more common during hot parts of the year and can be dangerous and costly.
Using the CCBF, municipalities invested in 17 fire stations from 2014 to 2023, helping to modernize assets and keep Ontarians safe.
Recent projects include Fire Hall Expansions in Hanover and White River.
