The City of Burlington works together with qualified program providers to deliver sport, recreation and culture opportunities for residents, clubs and affiliates, patrons, and visitors to our facilities. These activities are essential for the community's quality of life, promoting individual well-being and a sense of belonging.
A qualified program provider is an individual or organization wanting to provide recreation programs and/or activities that will be considered a qualified program provider or ‘partner’ with the City of Burlington, if the following criteria are met.
If you are a program provider and have not rented space with the City of Burlington before, please email rentals@burlington.ca for help renting space or visit our Rentals website page.
How to become and Qualified Program Provider |
| Individuals or organizations wanting to provide recreation programs and/or activities will be considered as a Qualified Program Provider or ‘partner’ with the City of Burlington if the following criteria are met and have completed the application process. |
| Ensure programs and/or activities are open to all. |
| Programs and/or activities are open for the entire community to participate and meet residency requirements. |
| Seasonal space allocation |
| Program Provider who qualified will then be allocated a bulk space for the season |
| Be in good standing |
| The organization or individual administering the program and/or activities are in good financial standing and have no open Public Conduct inquiry cases. |
| Align with Recreation Framework |
| The organization or individual follows and is an example of the City’s Recreation Framework. |
If you meet all the above criteria, you can apply to become a qualified program provider.
Application to become a Qualified Program Provider
Applications will provide background information about the organization and/or group, how it aligns with the City’s Recreation Framework and demonstrate community need for their desired program offering. Decisions will take into consideration whether the program is a repeated service already happening and/or fills a gap in the program mix. There are two possible outcomes:
Outcome 1: The application is successful in demonstrating that it is unique and fills a gap within the program mix that meets the needs of Burlington residents.
- It will also be up to the organization to demonstrate that there enough public interest to be sustainable. At which time the respective Relationship Manager for the facility type will be assigned and move the applicant onto the next step in approval process; or
Outcome 2: It is determined that it is a duplication of programs already offered and will be denied approval to become a Qualified Program Provider.
- Organizations will still be able to rent space as a seasonal renter once allocation is “in season” and based on what is available. If there are changes to their scope of application and/or the duplication no longer exists, organizations can reapply.
For more information on how to become a qualified program provider, please contact sports@burlington.ca.
You are already a Qualified Program Provider
We are committed to working together with you to meet your space needs, whether you need indoor or outdoor facilities. Our goal is to ensure that you have a great experience renting our facilities and providing valuable programs to the community. Thank you for considering the City of Burlington as your space provider.
Key allocation timeline
Facility type allocation time frames
| Facility type | Space allocation season |
|---|---|
|
Ice |
Fall, Winter: Sept. 1 to March 31 Spring, Summer: April 1 to Labour Day |
|
Arena Floor |
Summer: April 1- Labour Day |
|
Community Centres (Rooms/Auditoriums and Gyms) |
Fall, Winter, Spring: September to June 30 Summer: July to Labour Day |
|
Grass Sport Fields and Diamonds |
Summer: Mid May to Thanksgiving weekend |
|
Artificial Turf |
Summer: April to December (weather dependent) |
Note: Season timing may change depending on inventory availability or business needs.
Late Applications or missing seasonal allocation deadlines
Deadline dates are set each year by the City and may be different depending on facility type, e.g. ice. Requests received by the deadline dates are allocated according to the priority schedule and general principles described in Allocation Procedure. For Qualified Program Providers and User groups that do not meet timelines , hours may be offered to other groups.
Insurance requirements
To rent space with the City of Burlington, all contract holders must have current Liability Insurance. For a list of activity types and the amount of Liability Insurance required, please review liability insurance.
Organizations providing their own insurance will be asked to supply a copy of their up-to-date certificate. The Corporation of the City of Burlington, 426 Brant St., Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6 must be identified on the certificate as additionally insured. If you also have contracts through the City of Burlington for fields or gyms with the Halton District Catholic School Board and/or the Halton District School Board, they are also to be named as additionally insured. The named organization or person on the certificate must match the naming on the contract. A list of your activities is also required. For the list of required liability amounts review liability insurance. If you or your group supply your own insurance, check with your insurance provider to see if there are any exclusions.
Organizations who cannot supply their own insurance may be eligible to purchase GameDay Insurance through the City of Burlington, dependent on activity and number of participants. The maximum number of participants cannot exceed 100 and your activity must be listed under the $2 million or $5 million categories. All other activities, including those listed under the $10 million category and organizations with more than 100 participants, must have and provide their own certificate of insurance.
Mutual Respect and Public Code of Conduct
The City ensures that measures are in place so that incidents of violence or inappropriate behaviour do not occur in its programs, facilities and properties. Included in this commitment is an understanding that organizations and the general public using City programs, facilities and properties must take primary responsibility for the behaviour of all those associated with them:
- Participants, officials, spectators, patrons, parents, etc.
- You, as the contract holder are responsible and accountable for the actions and behaviours of your participants, coaches and volunteers. We encourage you to have a convenor or supervision on site to be able to address any issues.
We ask for everyone’s cooperation and support for this commitment and should anyone wish to report an incident, please contact your relationship manager. For more information visit our Code of Conduct page for full policy.
Nuisance and Noise By-law
Airhorn usage prohibited
An amendment to Nuisance and Noise By-law is to provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere for all. Airhorn use is not permitted within the City of Burlington. This includes public and private property, rentals and events.
- Airhorns can produce noise at 129 decibels; A noise at 109 decibels can cause hearing damage in less than two minutes.
- Residents or staff can report a by-law issue or request a call for service by calling 905-335-7731 or emailing building@burlington.ca.
Information about the by-law
- Amendment to Nuisance and Noise Control By-law 057-2019
- Link to Nuisance and Noise By-law 019-2003
Music and Amplified Sound in Parks must be approved
Amplified sound means speech, music, or other sound projected or transmitted by electronic equipment including amplifiers, loudspeakers, microphones, or similar devices; or combinations of devices which are powered by electricity, battery, or combustible fuel; and which are intended to increase the volume, range, distance or intensity of speech, music, or other sound. Please email your Relationship Manager, include your details for review and consideration of approval.
SOCAN/ReSound licensing may be required for your activity. If music is played at your event/activity, you are required to obtain the appropriate license. All facility renters are required to comply with the tariff licensing that applies to the use of music during their rental activity while on City of Burlington facilities.
Contact rentals@burlington.ca if your indoor event is planning to have music and/or dancing.
Facility closures
We make every effort to keep our facilities open for scheduled activities and rentals. When unsafe weather conditions occur, the city may close facilities. We will post facility closure updates online. You can also call 905-335-7738 to receive facility closure updates.
Facility Closure due to Weather
Get City of Burlington facility closure and extreme weather alerts right to your email as soon as the information is available. To subscribe, visit our News and Notices website page. Coaches and participants to encouraged to subscribe.
Weather Cancellation Policy Exemption
When Environment Canada has issued a weather alert, advisory or watch (including a heat warning) contract holders may cancel without penalty at their discretion.
If you wish to proactively cancel your booking due to weather:
- simply email weathercancel@burlington.ca at least 2 hours prior to your rental start time to advise us of your decision
- include an alternate date should you like to rebook
- Your contract will be adjusted accordingly, and the amendment will be sent to you via email
Light Schedule
Playfield Light Schedule
April 1 to April 30, 6-11 p.m.
May 1 to Aug. 15, 8:30-11 p.m.
Aug. 16 to Aug. 30, 8-11 p.m.
Sept. 1 to Sept. 15, 7:30-11 p.m.
Sept. 16 to October, 7-11 p.m.
Oct. 2 to season end , 6-11 p.m.