Low Cost and Subsidized Recreation Programs

Ajax

• Ajax Trails website
• Ajax Festivals and Events
• Ajax Recreation and Parks Guide
• Ajax Events Calendar from DurhamRegion.com

Brock Township (Cannington, Sunderland, Beaverton)

• Brock Township Recreation Programs and Facilities
• Brock Township Calendar of Upcoming Events
• Brock Community Health Centre Upcoming Events which include tai chi, walking clubs, and more

Clarington (Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle)

• Indoor walking programs are organized by the Clarington Walks!
• Clarington Be Active web page for information on leash-free dog parks, recreation, playground sites and more
• Clarington Festivals and Events

Oshawa

• Oshawa Parks, Recreation and Culture
• Oshawa Parks, Trails and Open Spaces
• Oshawa Things to Do
• Oshawa Events Calendar from DurhamRegion.com

Pickering

• Pickering Trails website
• Active Pickering website for information on recreation
• Pickering Events Calendar
• Pickering Cycling website for maps and information
• Events Calendar from DurhamRegion.com

Scugog

• Scugog Live and Play website for information on parks, programs, and more
• Events Calendar from DurhamRegion.com

Uxbridge

• Uxbridge Trails web page for locations and information
• Events Calendar from DurhamRegion.com
• Uxbridge Daily website for events and information
• Uxbridge Community Guide of events

Whitby (Whitby, Brooklin)

• Whitby Trails website for locations and information
• Events Calendar from DurhamRegion.com

The Advancing Access to Affordable Recreation in Durham (AAARD) members work together to help Durham Region residents' access recreation.

Municipal and not for profit organizations help people access recreation services. They offer programs to low income residents.

Ontario Works clients can talk to their caseworker to ask about assistance with costs of participating in municipal recreation programs.

Ajax: A variety of fee assistance options are based on eligibility and applicants must be Ajax residents. Please visit community centre customer service desks or call:

Brock: No municipal program currently in place. Other partners' subsidy programs are available.

Call Alicia Bagshaw at 705-432-2355 extension 243 or email abagshaw@townshipofbrock.ca.

Clarington: Financial assistance programs fund the Municipality of Clarington's recreation programs and memberships. Eligibility is based on financial need. Residents with a permanent disability who meet the age criteria for a fitness facility membership are eligible. Applicants must be Clarington residents.

Call Community Services at 905-623-3379 extension 2552 or email subsidy@clarington.net.

Oshawa: The City of Oshawa recognizes the value of participating in recreation and believes all residents, regardless of financial circumstances, should be able to enjoy the programs and services offered through our Recreation and Culture Services Branch. Oshawa residents may be eligible to receive financial assistance based on annual income to help with the cost of participation in our programs and services. To be eligible, applicants must have a net family income no greater than 25 per cent above the low income cut off (LICO).  More information is available at City of Oshawa Assistance and Accessibility Programs.

Call Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311.

Pickering: The City of Pickering has a few financial assistance options. They help people register for City of Pickering recreation programs and memberships. Eligibility is based on financial need. Applicants must be City of Pickering residents.

Call Sharon Milton at 905-420-4620 extension 3601 or email smilton@pickering.ca.

Scugog: Funding for the Township of Scugog recreational programs is available upon request. Eligibility is based on financial need.

Call Craig Belfry at 905-985-8698 extension 102 or email cbelfry@scugog.ca.

Uxbridge: Funding for Township of Uxbridge recreational programs is available upon request. Eligibility is based on financial need.

Call Amanda Ferraro at 905-852-9181 extension 400 or email aferraro@town.uxbridge.on.ca.

Whitby: The Access Program provides funding for Town of Whitby recreation programs. Eligibility is based on financial need and applicants must be Whitby residents. Complete the application form for Whitby Recreation Assistance.

Call Sarah Klein at 905-430-4310 or email subsidy@whitby.ca.

Abilities Centre: Anyone experiencing financial hardship can apply to the Membership Assistance Program.

Contact Sheree Nicholson via email at snicholson@abilitiescentre.org.

Boys and Girls Club of Durham: Provides subsidy for some recreation and camp programs. Eligibility is based on financial need and applicants must be Boys and Girls Club members.

Contact Lisa McNee Baker via email at Lmcneebaker@bgcdurham.com.

Girls Inc. Durham: Offers financial assistance to those who may not be able to pay the full enrolment fee for Girls Inc. programs. Financial assistance is offered based on available funds and works on a sliding scale.

Call Tracey McCannell Director of Programming at 905-428-8111 extension 22 or email tmccannell@durham.girls-inc.org.

Grandview Children's Centre: Therapeutic Recreation programs are offered for children and youth with special needs. Programs are offered at a nominal cost to children and youth that live in Durham Region. Grandview Children's Foundation and government grants support Grandview.

Email Cathy Kelly at Cathy.kelly@grandviewkids.ca.

YMCA Child and Family Development - Durham Region: A Funded After School Strategy from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart (CTJS) will fund physically active programs for children between the ages of four to 18.

You can call the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Call Centre at 1-844-YES-PLAY or submit an application for Jumpstart online.

Their Opportunity helps low-income families enroll their children in local sports and recreation programs. Children receiving sponsorship "pay it forward" through Their Opportunity's give-back program. For more information, call 905-444-9992 or email info@theiropportunity.com.

Apply for funds online!