CRIS Program Cohorts
How do Cohorts work?
The Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS) helps local governments, municipalities, and Indigenous communities work with climate and infrastructure experts to find practical solutions for making their infrastructure projects more sustainable. Our Cohort model brings together communities facing similar challenges—whether it’s climate hazards like flooding or wildfires, or infrastructure issues like aging facilities that need upgrades—with trusted place-based project partners and experts from our Roster.
Cohort participants get free, tailored one-on-one support and take part in peer learning sessions that help them explore solutions, make progress on their projects, and get ready for future funding opportunities.
Join a Cohort
Discover our ongoing cohorts below:
Saskatchewan Ice Rink Upgrades Cohort
Planning an upgrade to your community’s ice rink? Get free expert support through the CRIS Ice Rink Cohort in partnership with the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) and Eco West Canada!
Small and rural communities from across Saskatchewan can now join the 2025 CRIS Ice Rink Cohort, a practical and hands-on opportunity to fast-track your rink retrofit. Participants will receive free dedicated one-on-one support along with peer learning sessions designed to explore best options, move projects forward efficiently, and prepare for future funding.
If your community's ice rink or arena is aging and needs better heating, cooling, insulation, or energy upgrades, you’re not alone. Register to join the cohort and receive project scoping and early design advice and guidance on funding readiness and next steps. This service is open to local governments in Saskatchewan with a population of 30, 000 or less, and an ice rink retrofit project identified in a capital plan, operational plan, or asset management plan
Register before July 25th, 2025. Space is limited — don’t miss your opportunity!
About the Ice Rink Cohort
Each participating government will receive:
- Up to 60 hours of personalized expert support to identify retrofit options, and plan for low-carbon, resilient upgrades.*
- Virtual peer learning sessions with other local government representatives working on similar projects.
- A technical options report to help bridge the gap between planning and implementation.
- Support in aligning your project with potential future funding opportunities.
*Support may include project scoping and early design advice, identifying low-carbon and resilient retrofit opportunities, and guidance on funding readiness and next steps.
To be eligible for this cohort, local governments must:
- Serve a population of approximately 30,000 or less in the province of Saskatchewan
- Own, operate, or manage an ice rink or arena facility
- Have a rink retrofit identified in a capital plan, operational plan, or asset management plan
- Commit to participating in a 12 - 16 week virtual cohort process, including expert sessions and peer activities
Projects related to retrofitting or replacing of municipal ice rinks or arena facilities are eligible. This includes work on:
- HVAC and refrigeration systems
- Building envelope improvements (e.g., insulation, roofing)
- Energy efficiency and emissions reduction measures
No. Participation in the CRIS Ice Rink Cohort is fully funded through the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS) program, with support from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC). There is no cost to local governments.
This cohort will operate between August and November 2025. Participants should be prepared to:
- Attend a kickoff session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes)
- Engage in one-on-one expert meetings (meet 2 times with expert to support expert technical analysis)
- Join 2 mid-point peer learning session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes)
- Participate in a wrap-up session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes)
All other work is completed directly between the municipality and their assigned expert.
The entire cohort is delivered virtually to maximize flexibility and minimize time away from day-to-day operations.
Simply complete this short service request form: Submit Here!
It’s a simple, fast process — no lengthy applications required!
Submission Deadline: July 25th, 2025
Space is limited — don’t miss your opportunity!
Don't fit into our current cohort offerings?
If you have an infrastructure project that you want free expert advice and technical options for, register to be matched one-on-one with an expert from your area.
