Affordable Access

Recreation Connection Subsidy

The Recreation Connection program supports the community by reducing financial barriers to patriciate in the Town’s recreation and culture programs.

Registration is accepted year-round and each eligible participant receives $400 that is applied to their Town of Oakville account.

The first day of each participant’s 12-month enrollment period will be the date the subsidy amount has been added to their account.

Unused subsidy amounts cannot be carried over, transferred, or redeemed for cash.

Please review the eligibility criteria below. Once your application is received and approved, each eligible family member on your application will receive the subsidy, which is valid for one year.

Eligibility overview

To qualify for the Recreation Connection program, the applicant must:

Be a resident of Oakville
Must present recent documentation that demonstrates eligibility from one of the following categories, including:
1. Total net individual or combined family household income:
  - Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment (NOA) required for all family members over 18 years of age without dependents or,
  - Canada Child Tax Benefit Notice (if applying with children) required when the application includes dependents under 18 years of age or,
  - Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax Credit Notice (if applying with or without children)
    
    The total net income of all family members and the number of people in your household. The Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) is a statistical measure that defines where financial assistance is required.
2. Be approved in an assistance program (within 3 months, income verification is not required):
  - Ontario Works (OW) Statement of Assistance or,
  - Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Statement of Assistance.
3. Refugees and qualifying newcomers to Canada, eligible within the first year of landing and holding documentation that confirms immigration status (income verification is not required):
  - Permanent residency document (not a permanent resident card) ◦ Refugee protection claimant document
  - Authorization for emergency travel (CUAET)
4. Be referred to the program by an approved Community Organization (Halton Children's Aid Society; Halton Region; Kinark and the Syl Apps Youth Centre; Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre)

Maximum qualifying income

Family size and household income (after-tax)

1 person — $22,361
2 people — $27,214
3 people — $33,888
4 people — $42,278
5 people — $48,142
6 people — $53,390
7 people or more — $58,639

The amounts listed above reflect the published LICO thresholds, based on household income after taxes have been deducted.

How to apply

Review eligibility criteria
Please email affordableaccess@oakville.ca for the application form or visit the closest community centre
Visit any Town of Oakville community centre or Town Hall to submit your application along with all supporting documents.
- Appointments are not required. Please plan your visit during customer service desk hours, which may vary by location.
- Virtual appointments are available for those who require accommodation. To learn more about this option, please contact affordableaccess@oakville.ca.

Please note the Town does not retain financial documents (hard copy or electronic). Any documents submitted via email will be deleted.

Recreation and Culture staff will forward all eligible applications to Town Hall for processing. This will take approximately seven business days. A welcome letter will be provided with registration information.

Subsidy overview

The subsidy available through this program is $400 per person. 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:

Library programs
Facility rentals
Community Connection programs
Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts show tickets
Material fees and concession items

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 subsidy amount does not have 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. Once your subsidy expires, the full amount is no longer available — even if it has been converted into a credit.

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.

Registering with your subsidy amount

Access your Recreation and Culture account and complete the registration process for a registered or drop-in program. During checkout, choose the “Use Subsidy” payment option.

For registration assistance Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., contact us at 905-815-2000 or recreation@oakville.ca.

Payments and receipts

Full payment (including any outstanding balance on account) is required to complete your registration.

Duplicate receipts will only be issued upon request and are subject to a $15 administration fee plus applicable taxes.

An administration charge of $45 plus tax will be levied for all NSF cheques and returned payments.

A non-resident fee of $10 plus tax will be added per person, per course.

Pre-authorized payment for camps

Check the schedule payment box when you register online to pay 50 per cent up front for summer programs and simply confirm your pre-authorized payments for the balance. The remainder will be automatically deducted from your credit card on June 1.

Questions? Contact registration staff at 905-815-2000.

Courtesy reminders

The Recreation and Culture department is pleased to provide an email reminder for registrants approximately one week prior to the start of their program.

These reminders will be sent to customers with email addresses on their recreation account. To benefit from this service, please ensure we have your current email address on file. You can set up and check your account online at any time.

Browse Recreation and Culture opportunities

The town offers a diverse range of affordable or no-fee opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities.

Registered programs

We offer registered programs for your favourite activities like swimming, skating, camps, fitness, sports (pickleball, badminton, basketball, volleyball etc.), culture (woodworking, ceramics etc.) and so much more!

Drop-in programs

The town offers a large variety of drop-in opportunities for all ages and abilities, available for a one-time, low fee. For the most up-to-date schedule of offering, visit active.oakville.ca.

Super Playgrounds

Register once and play all summer. We’re excited to offer our half-day drop-in camp membership at select parks in Oakville each summer. Campers enjoy supervised activities without the commitment of a full-day, week-long camp. For ages 6-12.

Youth Summer Fun Pass

Enjoy drop-in recreational swims and skates from June 1 to September 2 for one low fee! For ages 2-17. Visit our Memberships page to learn more.

Youth programs

The Town of Oakville offers safe, inclusive youth programs with a range of recreational, creative, and leadership opportunities. Options include registered and drop-in programs and free youth spaces at various community centres. Visit the Town of Oakville website or follow @OakvilleYouth on Instagram to learn more.

Seniors services

The Town of Oakville offers a variety of programs, classes, and volunteer opportunities for adults aged 50+. A Seniors Services membership includes access to senior drop-in programs at no additional cost. Memberships can be purchased online or by calling 905-815-2000.

Special events

Each year, the town delivers and assists our partners to bring free public events to the Town of Oakville. These events include Family Day, Canada Day, Santa Claus Parade, and Culture Days to name a few!

Oakville Museum and Galleries

Enjoy free admission to these unique cultural destinations.

Oakville Museum, 8 Navy Street
Gallery and Corridor Exhibitions at QEPCCC, 2302 Bridge Road
Oakville Galleries at Centennial Square, 120 Navy Street
Oakville Galleries at Gairloch Gardens, 1306 Lakeshore Road East
Oakville's First Post Office, 144 Front Street
Oakville Museum at QEPCCC, 2302 Bridge Road

Oakville community centres also feature impressive public art. Be sure to enjoy the art around you when visiting these spaces

Oakville Public Library

Discover the Oakville Public Library, where endless opportunities await! With engaging programs for all ages, extensive digital resources, and community events, the library is your hub for learning, creativity, and connection.

Sports equipment lending program

The Oakville Public Library’s free Sports Equipment Lending Program is designed to promote physical literacy encouraging barrier-free access movement and exploration. Kits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, no holds will be available. Loan periods are seven days and are not renewable.

Parks and amenities

The Town of Oakville is home to over 190 municipal parks, over 200 kilometres of recreational trails, and a large variety of outdoor play opportunities like playgrounds and splash pads. From baseball diamonds and soccer fields, to outdoor ice rinks and skate board parks, there are countless free ways to play!

Volunteer opportunities

Earn volunteer hours and support your community. Help with supervision, programming activities, facility maintenance, and more! Volunteering offers valuable work experience and fulfills high school community service hours. Opportunities are available through aquatics, camps, special events, seniors services, and more.

Employment opportunities

The Town of Oakville offers a variety of full-time and part-time job opportunities for qualified applicants. Join our team and contribute to our vibrant community. For details, please visit our Careers page.

Additional financial assistance opportunities

New self-serve registration option for Halton Region’s Child Care Subsidy (CSF30) clients

Halton Region’s Child Care Subsidy (CSF30) clients with a parental contribution of $0, can now register online themselves, making it easier to enrol in eligible Town of Oakville camps.

With this new process, register online for eligible P.A. Day, March Break, and Summer Camps, including:

P.A. Day Camps – CampOAK Junior, Senior, and Inclusion
March Break Camps – CampOAK Tots, Tykes, Juniors, Seniors, and Inclusion
Summer Camps – CampOAK Tots, Tykes, Juniors, Seniors, Inclusion, LIT Junior, Full Day Museum Camp, Lil-Sports Camp, Need for Speed Competitive Swim Camp, Splish Splash Swim Camp, Sport Camp, Summer Sport and Hockey Camp, Kinder Krafts, and Arts and Crafts Camp Junior

Note: You will need an online Recreation and Culture account to register.

How to Register

Submit your approval form – Before registering, email your approved Halton Region Town of Oakville CSF30 form to recreation@oakville.ca.
Processing – After we confirm your CSF30 $0 parental contribution, we will update your account so you can register online. A $0 parental contribution means your eligible family members can attend the listed camps for free, as determined by your subsidy approval.
Register online – Sign in to your Recreation and Culture account and click the "Program Registration" tab at the top.
Find your camp – Use the search bar or filter options on the left to find eligible programs.
Register your child – Click "Register Now" to go to the course details page. Choose your child’s name, confirm the details, and click "Register Now" again to add it to your cart.
Confirm registration – Review your selections and click "Place My Order"—no payment or credit card needed. A transaction receipt and registration confirmation will be automatically emailed to the address used to create the account.

If you have any questions, need assistance or would like to register using a different method, please email recreation@oakville.ca or call 905-815-2000.