Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a decision on December 15, 2025, awarding $163,300 in grants under the city’s winter activities project call, part of the Stratégie centre-ville. The goal, as city staff describe it, is to support outdoor winter activities downtown; the decision also approves agreements that set grant payment terms.
- Festival Igloo receives $104,000 for “Bonification Igloofête 2026”; Théâtre de la Ligue nationale d’improvisation receives $48,000 for “Les matchs préparatoires”; and Kin-Ball Montréal receives $11,300 for “Kin-Ball au cœur de l’hiver.”
- City staff describe the grants as supporting free outdoor activities from January to March 2026. The city’s Service de la culture runs the winter strategy with the Service du développement économique and Ville-Marie borough.
What it means for you#
- Residents and visitors: The projects are intended to offer free winter activities. City staff list Igloofête from January 17 to February 7, six LNI improv matches on January 17, 24 and 31, and ten Kin-Ball sessions at a park. The park and Kin-Ball dates are still being confirmed.
- The three organizations: They receive the grant amounts above. The approved agreements set the terms and conditions for payment; those details are not in the resolution.
Money#
The city authorizes $163,300 in total spending, funded from the central city budget.
- City staff say the credits come from the Service du développement économique budget under the MEIE 2025–2029 / Réflexe agreement. The city covers 100% of this grant spending.
- Staff say the grants represent 74% of the Igloofête project budget and 80% of each of the other two project budgets.
What is unclear#
- The payment conditions in the approved agreements are not provided.
- The materials do not give expected attendance, measures of success, or a follow-up plan.
- The location and dates for the Kin-Ball sessions are not yet confirmed.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the grants is that they support a mix of cultural and sports activities during winter months when, staff say, fewer events take place.
- The activities are described as free and open-air, which could make winter programming accessible to a broad public.
Case against#
- The city is covering all of the grant spending, and the grants cover most of each project’s stated budget. The materials do not explain what results the city will require in return.
- The Kin-Ball location and schedule remain unsettled, which may make the project’s delivery harder to assess.