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Assistance Programs

Accessing the Recreation Experience

The Township of Woolwich recognizes and promotes the full participation of all Woolwich residents in recreation and cultural programs regardless of financial circumstances. Programs and services will be planned, delivered and evaluated to ensure they are affordable, inclusive and responsive to need. Financial assistance is available for swim, skate, fitness and general programs for all Woolwich residents. Information is available at Woolwich Community Services 5 Memorial Ave, Elmira from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 519-669-5139 to book a confidential assessment.

Jumpstart 

Canadian Tire JumpStart funding helps cover the cost of sports equipment and/or registration fees for families of low-income. If you know of a family who might benefit from this program please call Woolwich Community Services at 519-669-5139 or stop by the Community Information Centre, 5 Memorial Ave Elmira, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a confidential assessment.

Personal Assistance for Leisure Activities (PAL)

Our PAL (personal assistance for leisure activities) card program makes participating in our recreation and leisure programs possible, comfortable and more enjoyable for people with disabilities.

A PAL card allows a person with a disability to bring a helper - often a friend or family member - with them to each activity to assist them in participating - in most cases, at no extra cost since the helper does not actually take part.

PAL cards can be used at our public swims and skates and Township run community centre programs - simply present your card when paying your admission or registration fees.

Please note:  The PAL card is not accepted for ticketed events at our facilities that are operated by external organizations, businesses or promotors.

Anyone who is more than four years old, and has a disability that restricts them from performing activities, which has lasted longer than six months and cannot be eliminated by the use of a technical aide, such as eyeglasses, is eligible for a PAL card.

Temporary PAL cards are available for those with temporary disabilities.

Attendants must be 15 years of age or older; different attendants can assist the program participant on different days.

Please keep in mind, if an attendant would be participating in an activity with a PAL cardholder - regardless of his or her disability - the attendant would be expected to pay the program fee. For example, if a child, who has a PAL card, does not meet our age requirement to swim alone during a family swim at one of our pools, an adult would be required to supervise the child - and pay the fee to participate.

Applying for a PAL card is easy!

  • Complete an online application, or
  • Pick up a paper application at The Woolwich Township Administration office (24 Church St. W. Elmira), the Woolwich Memorial Centre (24 Snyder Ave. S, Elmira) or the Breslau Community Centre (100 Andover Dr. Breslau)

You will be asked to include two references on your application, we will contact both references to ensure you're eligible for a PAL card.  

If your application is approved, your PAL card will be mailed to you.

The PAL card is also accepted by our program partners, including the city of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph and Thunder Bay.  Check out our full list of partners.

If a program or business is not included on our list, and you would like to use your PAL card to participate, please contact them directly to ask if the PAL card is accepted.  If you are aware of a program that accepts the PAL card and it is not listed, please let us know and we'll add it to our list.

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