Fee assistance

three smiling children

Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in recreation programs. To help with this, the City has designed the Fee Assistance in Recreation Program (FAIR). There are a variety of ways the City can help you with fee assistance.

Fee assistance for children and youth

The City of Guelph partners with the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington to provide funding for children and youth to attend recreation programs, including registered programs, swimming lessons and camps. Confirmation of fee assistance must be secured before registering for City of Guelph programs.

Applications are available at any City of Guelph Community Centre or can be obtained by contacting the Children’s Foundation directly.

You can now register and pay with Children’s Foundation for registered programs online.

How-to guide: Using your Children’s Foundation subsidy to register for a program

Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington
5068 Whitelaw Road, Unit 2
Guelph, Ontario N1H 6J3
519-826-9551 extension 123
Toll Free 1-877-826-9551
[email protected]

Fee Assistance in Recreation (FAIR)

We offer a subsidy program to help adults and seniors on a limited income stay active with the Fee Assistance in Recreation (FAIR) program. The program helps subsidize the cost for recreation programs, swim passes, or other memberships. People who qualify can receive a discount on registration fees.

Other fee assistance and subsidies

Personal Assistant for Leisure Activities (PAL) Card

A PAL card is available to people with a disability who require assistance: to attend City of Guelph recreation programs or to ride Guelph Transit conventional and mobility services. The PAL card is issued to the person with the disability and allows him or her to be accompanied by a friend, relative, support worker, etc., as their support person who participates as an attendant at no additional cost. A support person can be a different person each time but he/she will help the person with a disability with tasks related to communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs, or with access to goods or services. Exceptions: Ticket charges for the support person at River Run Centre and Sleeman Centre apply.

There are certain eligibility requirements that must be met to obtain a PAL Card. Application forms are available from Community Investment at 1 Carden Street, Guelph, N1H 3A1, or by contacting Community Investment at 519-837-5618.

PAL Cards are also available for a temporary disability or injury. Professional PAL Cards are available to qualifying agencies serving individuals with a disability to use with their clients/consumers as part of their treatment.
Personal Assistant for Leisure Activities (PAL) Card application

Professional PAL card

Are you a professional helping people in the community? Your organization may qualify for the Professional PAL Card, please contact Community Investment at 519-837-5618 for more information.

Leisure Access Card (LAC)

The Leisure Access Card is available to any person 18 years of age and older who has a disability. The LAC card allows you to pay the “seniors’ rate” (where applicable) rather than the “adult rate” for many City of Guelph Recreation courses/programs. These programs are offered at a lower fee than our regular adult programs, and most are available during the daytime.

The LAC card can be used at any public swim, public skating, or to purchase fitness passes. NOTE: The Leisure Access Card does not include access to, or membership into, any Guelph-Wellington Seniors’ Association Clubs.

There are certain eligibility requirements you must meet to obtain your LAC Card. Application forms are available from Community Investment at 1 Carden Street Guelph, N1H 3A1, or by contacting Community Investment at 519-837-5618. LAC Cards are also available for a temporary disability or injury.
Leisure Access Card application

Subsidy for groups or persons with disabilities

The City of Guelph provides a subsidy to organized groups when booking group activities or programs for people with a disability. The subsidy of 47.5% of the regular rental fee (only one subsidy per booking) of our facilities may be available for your group. If your require more information please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator.
Application for subsidy for groups or persons with disabilities