In the two years since it started, the Town of Collingwood’s Access to Recreation program has seen applications increase each year.
During council’s regular meeting on May 22, the town’s manager of community recreation Michelle Findlay gave councillors an update on the program, noting there’s been a steady uptick in applications. Between October 2022 and April 2024, the town has disbursed more than $8,000 through the program. In 2022, the program cost just over $2,400.
“This year, we’re already at that $5,000 mark, and they’re still coming in,” said Findlay. “We’ve received applications from... youth, adults and seniors, and multiple family applications.”
The program is paid for out of the 2012 Ontario Winter Games legacy fund, which was originally earmarked for coach development, but that program didn’t pan out.
“This became a great opportunity to use this money and get people active in Collingwood,” said Findlay.
The pilot Access to Recreation program was first launched in 2022. The program is directed at individuals and households who face financial barriers to participating in sport and recreation programming, by providing fee assistance to Collingwood residents.
Eligible households can access a financial credit, which may be directed towards subsidizing programs delivered by the parks, recreation and culture department including swim or public skate passes, swimming lessons, and museum day camps as well as community recreation or minor sports delivered in town-owned recreation facilities.
The program is doled out through referrals from various social service agencies.
“Referrals have been coming from physicians, RNs, schools, churches and other social service organizations,” said Findlay.
To learn more about the affordable recreation program, click here.
