The Planning Assistance Program helps organizations obtain professional expertise required to research, assess or design new facilities or expand existing facilities that advance sport and recreation in Nova Scotia. The program supports projects that respond to community priorities and the Shared Strategy for Advancing Recreation in Nova Scotia.

Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage is committed to ensuring programs and services are free of discrimination and barriers, and value equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA).

Critical Facility Requirement:

The facility must have recreation, sport, and/or physical activity as its primary function, and must be open to all members of the public at reasonable times and at a reasonable rate or no cost.

Eligible Projects:

• General Facility Planning: Needs assessments, feasibility studies, master plans and facility operation plans
• Schematic Design: For new or renovated facilities and landscaping, including preliminary cost estimates
• Research Projects: Investigation of specific topics to gather data, test theories, or solve problems to guide decision-making
• Building Audits: Professional forecasting of building component replacement, resulting in development of life cycle plan for facility

Project Requirements:

• Project end dates must be before March 1 of following calendar year (e.g., projects funded in 2025 must end before March 1, 2026)
• Applicants strongly encouraged to contact Regional Manager before applying
• Terms of Reference, Request for Proposal, or Statement of Work must be attached to completed application
• Applicants expected to follow organization's procurement policies; if none exist, obtain three quotes recommended
• Only project expenses incurred after application submitted or file opened with Regional Manager are eligible for reimbursement
• Final report required upon project completion (written report, financial statement, copy of consultant's report)
• All overdue final reports for previously funded applications must be submitted before new applications considered