Leisure Access and Funding Assistance

The City of Dawson Creek is working alongside community organizations to reduce barriers to recreation. Through the Leisure Access Program, Canadian Tire Jumpstart, the Dawson Creek Arts & Wellness Fund, and KidSport, community members can find assistance for funding drop-in classes and registered program fees.

Leisure Access Program

The Leisure Access Program helps Dawson Creek residents access recreation programs such as classes, drop-in programs and events. Our Leisure Access Policy helps us determine who can apply.

Who can apply

To join the program, you must:

Be a permanent resident of Dawson Creek living within city boundaries for a minimum of three months
Have a family income at, or below, the current recognized Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold

How to apply

Application deadlines are February 1st, May 1st, August 1st and November 1st each year. To apply:

Print the Leisure Access Application Form or pick one up at the Kenn Borek Aquatic Centre or City Hall
Fill out the Main Applicant Information Section
Have a Trusted Partner fill out the bottom section. View a list of Trusted Partners. A Trusted Partner is capable of verifying your income status and that you are a permanent resident. Trusted Partners are organizations that you work with or work with you and are:
- A Social Service Agency,
- A Government Agency,
- A Non-Profit organization working with an individual or family
Drop off your completed form at the Kenn Borek Aquatic Centre or City Hall, or email it to Community Services

Using your funding

Once approved, you have until December 31st of the calendar year to use your funding. For example:

If you are approved for a swim punch card, you have until December 31st to set up your punch card at the pool. Punch cards do not expire, therefore you can use your punch card beyond December 31st if you set it up before this date.
If you are approved for a class, you have until December 31st to register. The class may happen in the following year and that’s ok. As long as you register for that class before December 31st you can still attend.

Applying more than once

You can apply for the Leisure Access Program as many times as you need to. However, there is limited funding available in each calendar year. Due to this, and the number of applications received, new applicants will be considered first before repeat applicants. Funding is not guaranteed.

Funding amount

Because there is limited funding available in each calendar year, the amount you may receive is limited. At times, funding might only be for a small amount. For example, if you want to register for a $50 class, but are only approved for $30, you would simply pay the remaining difference of $20 when you register.

Waiting period

Applications are accepted until the deadline listed above. After the application deadline, it can take up to three weeks to notify applicants if they were successful or not. The time it takes is dependent on how many applications have to be reviewed. Applicants will be notified by mail.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart

Jumpstart’s Individual Child Grants help families in financial need cover the costs of participating in sport and recreation, through a range of activities from boxing to bowling and skating to skiing etc.

For more information, visit the Jumpstart website.

Dawson Creek Arts & Wellness Fund

The Dawson Creek Arts & Wellness Fund is available to cover the cost of registration fees for established programs such as Arts, Craft, Drama and Music Classes, Yoga, Meditation or Wellness Classes, among others. Funding is intended for those children and youth who would not otherwise be able to access programming due to financial need.

For more information, email dcartswellness@gmail.com or visit the Dawson Creek Arts & Wellness Fund website.

KidSport

The KidSport mission is to remove the financial barriers that prevent some children from playing organized sport such as Archery, Athletics, Basketball, Judo, Hockey and more #SoALLKidsCanPlay! For more information, visit the KidSport website.

Learn more about our drop-in classes or registered recreation programs.