The Premier of Ontario has declared a province-wide state of emergency and issued a stay-at-home order in response to rising COVID-19 variant infection rates.
The benefits of physical activity and play, at a low or no cost.
We’re excited to reintroduce a safe summer program session starting the week of July 5. Browse recreation and culture programs starting Wednesday, May 12. Program capacity is limited to meet all required COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Premier Ford announced that in response to rising COVID-19 variant infections and hospitalizations, the government has declared a state of emergency and implemented a province-wide stay-at-home order. The stay-at-home order is in addition to the emergency brake shutdown already in affect and requires everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes. Review the Province of Ontario's website for information.
Under the stay-at-home order only leave your home for essential purposes:
You should not travel outside your local community.
In response, community centres (including pools, fitness centres and arenas) and the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate will be closed.
All registered recreation and culture programs. Drop-in activities, memberships, and indoor rental permits are cancelled. Refunds will be automatically issued to impacted customers.
While we can’t offer our full roster, we’re excited to offer safe recreation and culture programs for all ages and abilities online.
Check out our Virtual Programs page for information about our online fitness classes, cultural discussions, cooking workshops and much more! Some classes can also be found or re-watched on our YouTube channel.
A series of free Without Walls (WOW) phone-based programs and online Coffee & Conversation special events are also offered for ages 50+. Fees apply for select drop-ins.
Should you have questions, please call 905-815-2000 or email iris@oakville.ca from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
All residents should have access to programs and services offered by the Recreation and Culture department regardless of age, ability or financial need. The Town of Oakville provides residents with free and low-fee programs and services, as well as financial assistance options.
Clients should complete the new online form to use a Recreation Connection, Halton Region Recreation Referral or Halton Region Child Care subsidy. Because our facilities are currently closed under provincial order, in-person registrations are not permitted at this time.
Please note: We are currently processing all payments and registrations online. If you don't have access to a credit card and need to place credit on your Recreation and Culture account, please email affordableaccess@oakville.ca and we will set up an appointment with you.
Questions? Please email iris@oakville.ca for details about our new registration process.
Click on the tabs that follow for more information.
Families receiving Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disabilty Support (ODSP) are automatically eligible for this funding.
Families with one (1) child who earn less than $35,000, and families with two (2) or more children who earn less than $45,000, may also be eligible providing they are in active receipt of Child Care Fee Subsidy from Halton Region.
For more information, visit the Halton Region website, call 905-825-6000 or 311.
Jumpstart's core purpose is to enrich the lives of kids (ages 4 to 18) in need through sports and physical activity. They assist with the costs associated with registration, equipment, and/or transportation.
Families living below Revenue Canada's Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) are eligible for Jumpstart funding.
NEW! In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jumpstart has expanded their eligibility requirements to include families who receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
For more information, please visit the Jumpstart website.
Under the Town of Oakville's Recreation Connection program, financial assistance is available based on total net income of all family members and the number of people in your household.
Once your application is approved, you will receive an account and registration information letter. Each eligible family member on your application will receive a credit of $300 which is valid for one year. You may apply for and receive the credit once per year.
Applications for Recreation Connection are ongoing throughout the year. The first day of each customer's 12-month enrolment period will be the date their credit is added to their account.
Answers to frequently asked questions follow. Click on a heading for more information.
To qualify for the Recreation Connection program, the applicant must:
*Refugees are eligible to apply for Recreation Connection within the first year of receiving the following documents and income verification is not required:
Provided eligibility requirements are met, dependents over the age of 18 and living at home must apply separately as an individual.
Family size — current dollars:
Subsidy available is $300 per person.
Residents can request a virtual review meeting by emailing affordableaccess@oakville.ca. Staff will respond within two (2) business days. Accommodations for in-person meetings may be considered, as required.
Virtual review meetings take approximately 15 minutes. Applicants must have copies of their eligibility documentation at the meeting. Do NOT email confidential information to staff.
Applicants are required to provide the documentation outlined under How do I qualify?
Town of Oakville Recreation and Culture staff will forward all eligible applications to Town Hall for processing. This will take approximately seven (7) business days. A welcome letter will be provided with registration information.
Once the credit has been applied to your account, you will be able to register in programs of your choice.
Programs and services NOT eligible for fee assistance include:
Your individual credit cannot be transferred to other family members or individuals.
You have the option to either use the credit to cover the full program or membership cost or to pay a portion yourself using an accepted payment method. This can only be done when registering in person.
The credit has no real cash value. Any refunds from cancelled or withdrawn programs will be returned to your account as a credit. Any unused credits remaining at the end of your enrolment period cannot be carried over or transferred to another individual or family member or redeemed for cash.
You are eligible to reapply for the program once per year if you continue to meet all of the eligibility criteria. Applications can be made 30 days prior to the end of your current enrolment period.