Please visit our COVID-19 web page for all City programming and service updates
Find everything you need to know to Play Your Way in the City of London. From swimming lessons and day camps to art classes and seniors' special events, the City of London has something for everyone.
Upcoming registration dates
The City of London is offering modified recreation and community programs in community centres and arenas beginning this Thursday, October 29, and Learn to Skate programs as of Saturday, October 31.
Recreation and community programs have been modified, following a brief pause, to adhere to new health measures set out by the Middlesex-London Health Unit in a Section 22 Order last week. These measures include increased physical distancing and group size restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Registration for programs will reopen on Wednesday, October 28 at 8:30 a.m.
Frequently asked questions
When will recreation programs be offered, and for what ages?
Recreation program opportunities will be available for Londoners of all ages, including a selection of: parent and tot; children; youth; adult; older adult and senior program options. Programs will be scheduled at community centres and arenas across the city and will include a variety of daytime, evening and weekend participation options.
The following recreation facilities are open for programming:
- Argyle Arena
- Boyle Memorial Community Centre
- Bostwick Arena
- Byron Community Centre
- Carling Arena
- Earl Nichols Recreation Centre and Arena
- Kinsmen Recreation Centre and Arena
- Kiwanis Seniors Centre
- Lambeth Community Centre and Arena
- Medway Community Centre and Arena
- North London Optimist Community Centre
- South London Community Centre
- Stronach Community Recreation Centre and Arena
What is the cost of the recreation programs?
All programs being offered for the fall 2020 season will be free of charge, with the exception of swimming or skating programs.
When will registration reopen?
Registration will reopen online and by phone at 8:30am on October 28. Please visit Play Your Way online or call 519-661-5575 to register. Registration will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Program offerings are limited to one-time drop-in programs. Due to the current pandemic, we will not be running weekly sessions for the duration of the fall.
Participants can register for these free, structured programs one week in advance of their start date. For example, registration will open on Monday, November 2 at 11:00 a.m. for a program running the following Monday, November 9 at 11:00 a.m.
What do I need to know before arriving for my program?
Spaces must be reserved in advance of a program for each person participating.
Please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your program is scheduled to start, and leave the facility as soon as your program ends.
Late arrivals will not be permitted to enter the building after 5 minutes of the program starting.
Please come ready to participate in your program clothes and bring minimal personal belongings.
Outside food and drink, with the exception of water bottles, is not permitted.
Participants are permitted and encouraged to bring a filled water bottle to programs. Water fountains will not be available for drinking from directly, but water bottles can be refilled at filling stations.
If you are no longer able to attend, please ensure you withdraw to open up a spot for others to attend.
What if I want to remain on site to watch/supervise a program participant?
Participants under the age of 10 must have a parent or guardian over the age of 16 accompany them through the screening process and to the program space. Participants under the age of 18 may come to their scheduled program with a maximum of one parent/caregiver to spectate. No other spectators will be allowed to enter the facility.
In cases where parent/caregiver attendance is mandatory, the supervising adult must be at least 16 years of age.
What safety measures will be taken to minimize risk at recreation facilities?
Arena and community centre openings and programs have been modified to comply with public health guidelines and Provincial restrictions, including physical distancing, group size restrictions and staggered start times.
All persons entering the facility will be required to complete a health assessment, including guardians and staff. Participants and caregivers/spectators will be screened for symptoms upon arrival, which will be recorded on the attendance sheet and kept on record for purposes of contact tracing. Physical distancing will be enforced during the screening and sign-in process. Caregivers/spectators will be required to provide their contact information during screening for the purposes of contact tracing. Staff will be keeping daily records of anyone (program participants, staff and essential visitors, for example) entering the program setting who stays for 15 minutes or longer to allow for contact tracing in the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case or outbreak.
In accordance with the Mandatory Face Coverings By-law, masks are required to be worn at all times in the facility for those 12 and up. The only exception to this is for participants engaging in physical activity such as fitness programs or swimming. Participants engaging in an exercise-based program will be required to wear a mask while travelling to and from their program and are permitted to remove it once participating in their program activity while maintaining a distance of at least 2 metres from others, or a distance of at least 3 metres during yoga programs. Masks will not be provided for participants.
Staff will be required to complete a daily health screening and will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as required. Physical distancing within program groups will be enforced, with the exception of staff interventions for behaviour management and issuing first aid.
Program schedules and registration limits have been set in advance to ensure that physical distancing and equipment/surface cleaning can follow guidelines and recommendations.
Only staff, participants and caregivers/guardians will be allowed inside of our recreation facilities. Visitors, friends or family members of participants, and general public will not be allowed inside.
Many other strategies will be in effect to meet provincial guidelines and public health regulations.
What if a participant starts to show symptoms of COVID-19 while in program?
Protocols will be in place if a program participant or spectator begins to show symptoms of COVID-19 while in program, including immediate notification to the parent/guardian and the need for urgent pick-up. The participant will wait in an isolation area with a staff member until pick-up. A parent/guardian or emergency contact will be required to pick up the participant within one hour of receiving notification.
I have an urgent question. Who can I contact?
Urgent questions can be forwarded to recreation@london.ca. We will reply as soon as possible.
Program offerings
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Register online
Now you can register for courses, purchases memberships and book facilities from the comfort of your computer or smartphone with Play Your Way Online. It’s all available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Create your account today to access this online service.
View up-to-date program and facility information, which makes planning a breeze.
Register in person
In-person registration is currently limited due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The following locations are currently offering in person services Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:
- Citi Plaza (355 Wellington Street, Suite 248)
Play Your Way funding
The City of London’s Play Your Way Fund offers financial support to low income Londoners and families who want to access recreation programs and activities offered by the City of London. Once approved, funding can be accessed for the next 12 months, up to a maximum of $300 per person.
Click the links below for information on program eligibility as well as an application.
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City of London Recreation gift cards
A City of London Recreation gift card is a pre-paid, reloadable cash card that you can use to pay for purchases at a variety of City of London recreation facilities including City of London Pools, Community and Seniors Centres and Storybook Gardens. In addition, gift cards can be used for payment through Play Your Way Online for program registration and membership purchases. It is a quick and convenient way to pay!
Frequently asked questions
Where can I purchase/reload a City of London Recreation gift card?
These can be purchased at the following locations:
- Bostwick Community Centre - 2nd Floor Service London Counter
- Citi Plaza, Parks and Recreation Office (355 Wellingtion Street, Suite 248)
- Canada Games Aquatic Centre
- Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre
- Hamilton Road Seniors' Centre and Community Centre
- Kiwanis Seniors' Community Centre
- North London Optimist Community Centre
- South London Community Pool
- Storybook Gardens
- Online through Play Your Way Online.
What if I do not have enough on my City of London Recreation gift card to pay for my entire purchase?
The balance of your gift card can be put towards your purchase and the remainder can be paid by cash, debit, VISA or Mastercard.
What happens if I lose my City of London Recreation gift card?
Please treat your City of London Recreation gift card like cash! The City is not responsible for lost or stolen gift cards.
Can I check the balance on my City of London Recreation gift card?
Yes. You can check your balance in two ways:
1. Visit any of the participating City locations with your gift card and a customer service staff member will assist you.
2. Call 519-661-5575 and have your gift card number available.
How do I reload my City of London Recreation gift card?
Visit one of the participating City locations with your gift card to reload it or call 519-661-5575 to pay by credit card.
Does my City of London Recreation gift card expire?
No.
Can I redeem my City of London Recreation gift card for cash?
No.
Access2 Card
The Access2 Card is for people of all ages and types of permanent disabilities who require the assistance of a support person, and it provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in recreational activities with a support person. The card can be used at all City-owned indoor and outdoor pools, recreation centres, arenas and community centres, soccer fields and baseball diamonds, recreation programs as well as all city owned public golf courses and Storybook Gardens.
The Access2 Card provides free program access to any person with a permanent disability and their support worker for most City programs. Please note that aquatics programs require payment from the cardholder, but not from a support worker.