(AGENPARL) – Tue 27 May 2025 City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release
May 27, 2025
City of Toronto improves access to recreation programs through Early Local Registration Initiative
Registering for City of Toronto recreation programs at free community and recreation centres is becoming easier for local residents.
Starting Tuesday, June 3, as part of the first phase of the Early Local Registration Initiative, Torontonians who live near six free community recreation centres will be able to register for programs in advance of the general public on Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11.
This new initiative is part of the City’s ongoing work to design and deliver programs and support community users’ access to space that is reflective of the needs of local communities. Early Local Registration addresses the often high-demanded programs reported by many local residents by enabling residents who live within close proximity of an identified centre with an earlier opportunity to register for recreation programs.
Early Local Registration Centres
Using a data-driven approach that assessed local registration demand, local waitlists, program offerings and availability, the following six free community recreation centres were selected as the first to implement the Early Local Registration model this summer:
• Antibes Community Centre, 140 Antibes Dr.
• Centennial Recreation Centre, 1967 Ellesmere Rd.
• Fallstaff Community Recreation Centre, 50 Falstaff Ave.
• Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre, 640 Dundas St. E.
• Regent Park Athletic Grounds, 480 Shuter St. and Regent Park Community Centre, 402 Shuter St.
• Scarborough Village Recreation Centre, 3600 Kingston Rd.
Eligibility
Residents can check if they are eligible for Early Local Registration by entering their address on the City’s webpage: http://www.toronto.ca/EarlyReg.
Eligibility for early local registration has been determined through a data-informed, standardized approach that enabled the creation of “catchment areas” that reflect local characteristics and features. Distance, physical factors and social factors were considered including:
• Population density of approximately 34,000 residents per catchment area
• Pedestrian, road and waterway networks
• Keeping neighbourhood blocks intact
• Nearby lower-income communities including community and subsidized housing
Early Local Registration will be available at the six free centres that are part of this initial rollout for the summer, fall and winter recreation periods. City staff will be monitoring this program carefully throughout this period, with the intention to expand to all 37 Free Centres pending Toronto City Council direction and funding.
Quotes:
“We need to make sure communities know about and can easily access free recreation programs, especially in lower income neighborhoods. With the Early Local Registration Initiative, we are inviting local families to apply for recreation programs early so they don’t miss out. Making it easier for kids and families access to high quality, free local programming makes neighborhoods stronger.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“I am proud that we are enhancing equitable access to recreation with the Early Local Registration Initiative at Regent Park Community Centre. By helping families register for free recreation programs, we open the door for new opportunities and support community wellbeing.”
– Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre)