The Play Your Way Fund offers financial support to low-income Londoners and families who want to access City of London recreation programs and activities. Once approved, funding can be accessed for the next 12 months, up to a maximum of $300 per person. Once approved, you'll be eligible for funding towards recreation, aquatics, golf, day camp, Storybook Gardens and seniors recreation programs.
Please note you must re-apply to renew your Play Your Way Fund subsidy annually, as it does not automatically renew. We encourage you to re-apply one week prior to recreation registration to ensure your funds will be available to use during the registration period.
Who can apply
To qualify, you must be 18 years of age or older, a City of London residents, and have a family income that falls within the ranges below, based on Statistics Canada’s 2021 After-Tax Low-Income Cut-Offs (LICOs). Please review the funding overview section below to determine if you and your family are eligible for the Play Your Way Fund.
Funding overview
The City of London will pay for 100% of your recreation program fees if you meet the following criteria:
- Have a family size of one person with an annual household income of up to $24,347
- Have a family size of two people with an annual household income of up to $29,632
- Have a family size of three people with an annual household income of up to $36,898
- Have a family size of four people with an annual household income of up to $46,033
- Have a family size of five people with an annual household income of up to $52,418
- Have a family size of six people with an annual household income of up to $58,133
- Have a family size of seven or more people with an annual household income of up to $63,848
The City of London will pay for 50% of your recreation program fees if you meet the following criteria:
- Have a family size of one person with an annual household income of $24,347 to $36,659
- Have a family size of two people with an annual household income of $29,632 to $44,617
- Have a family size of three people with an annual household income of $36,898 to $55,558
- Have a family size of four people with an annual household income of $46,033 to $69,313
- Have a family size of five people with an annual household income of $52,418 to $78,927
- Have a family size of six people with an annual household income of $58,133 to $87,532
- Have a family size of seven or more people with an annual household income of $63,848 to $96,138
How to apply
You will be required to submit identification, proof of income, and proof of residency in London to be considered for the Play Your Way Fund. Please review all required documentation before filling out the application.
- Apply online: Fill out the printable Play Your Way Fund application and email the completed form to recreation@london.ca.
- Apply in-person: Fill out the printable Play Your Way Fund application and bring it to a City of London recreation customer service desk with all accompanying documents. Find a full list of customer service desk locations below.
- Apply through mail: Fill out the printable Play Your Way Fund application and mail it to a City of London recreation customer service desk with all accompanying documents. Find a full list of customer service desk locations below.
Required documentation
1. Provide identification
Provide any one of the following documents for each family member:
- Birth certificate
- Canadian Citizenship, permanent resident card or Refugee documents
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Canadian Passport
- Valid Ontario driver’s license or Ontario Photo ID card
2. Provide proof of income
Below is a list of applicable proofs of income. If you have income from a), b) or c), please attach a current copy of one of those sources.
- a. Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment from the current year for each adult in the household, showing line #236 (net income)
- b. Canada Revenue Agency Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax stating family net income
- c. Canada Child Tax Benefit summary, showing family Adjusted Annual Income
If you cannot provide one of the documents above, please provide proof of any income source indicated below.
- d. Government benefits stub: OW, ODSP/ACSB, EIB, CCP, OAS, GAINS (current month), etc.
- e. Pay stubs (two consecutive and current pay stubs)
- f. Other household income such as child or spousal support, rental income, etc.
- g. Refugee – Provide a copy of any government document that confirms you are receiving support under the Resettlement Assistance Program or Interim Federal Health Program
We can approve Fee Assistance for anyone who has come to Canada as a refugee and has not been sponsored by a family or group. Please provide a copy of the Refugee Protection Claimant Document or any other government document that confirms you are receiving support under the Resettlement Assistance Program or Interim Federal Health Program. We cannot accept immigration papers because they do not tell us that you are a refugee covered by these programs.
If you are unable to provide proof of income documents, you may submit a signed letter from a representative of a social agency or religious institution that lists all family members, verifies your total family income, and includes your address. This includes letters from shelters or services for homeless. All letters must be printed on agency letterhead.
3. Proof of residency in London
Below is a list of applicable proofs of residency in London. Please attach a current copy of one of the following:
- Rent receipts that show address and name of applicant
- Lease or mortgage agreement
- Property tax bill
- Current utility bill
- Current Child Tax Benefit statement
- Valid Ontario Driver’s License
Eligibility for Play Your Way Fund will be assessed annually for those with regular income that does not vary or those receiving government benefits such as OW, ODSP, CPP, GAINS, OAS, OSAP or other government benefits. Customers with irregular income will be assessed at a minimum of 6-month intervals, or more often as required.
Recreation customer service desk locations
- Canada Games Aquatic Centre, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (1045 Wonderland Road North)
- Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (656 Elizabeth Street)
- Citi Plaza, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (355 Wellington Street, Suite 248 – south entrance off of King Street and Wellington Street)
- East Lions Community Centre, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (1731 Churchill Avenue)
- South London Community Centre, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (1119 Jalna Boulevard)
If you are presenting information on behalf of a family member who is 18, it must be accompanied with a signed letter from the individual consenting to the release of this information on their behalf. Any information you provide will be returned to you or destroyed, as directed by you.