Recreation Fee Assistance
Access to programs and amenities at a lower cost Recreation Fee Assistance
This program provides lower cost fees for City of Calgary recreation facilities, golf courses, leisure centres and access to partner facilities.
-
Call 311 or 403-268-CITY (2489) if calling from outside Calgary.
Where you can use Recreation Fee Assistance
City registered classes, lessons and day camps
City leisure centres, indoor pools and fitness facilities
City golf courses
Partner facilities
Recreation Fee Assistance discounts
City registered classes, lessons and day camps
Save up to 90% on most registered programs, including art classes, swimming, skating, sports, dance and martial arts programs.
Registrations can be completed in person at a recreation facility, by calling 403-268-3800 or online.
For children and youth (17 and under)
Save 90% for programs under $100.00.
- For example, swimming lessons that cost $86.00, you will pay $8.60.
For programs over $100.00, save 90% on registration fees, up to $100 per program.
- For example, a day camp that costs $261.25, you will pay $162.25.
You can apply the subsidy for up to four programs or a total of $250 within a 12-month period. You must cover any costs exceeding the $250 subsidy.
For adults (18 and over)
Save 90% on registration fees, up to $50 per program.
- For example, if you are registered in a program that costs $84.00, you will pay $34.00.
You can apply the subsidy to one program within a 12-month period. You must cover any costs exceeding the $50 subsidy.
What you need to know
- Fee assistance can be applied to pre/post care.
- Any unused subsidy cannot be carried over or transferred.
- If you withdraw from a program costing less than $120.00 before the start date, the course fees are non-refundable since the cost of the program is equivalent to the 10% cancellation fee.
- Programs that cost more than $120.00 will be charged the 10% cancellation fee and refunded the remaining amount.
- If you withdraw after the start of a program, your subsidy and any fees paid are non-refundable.
City recreation facilities (leisure centres, indoor pools and fitness facilities)
Save 75% on:
- general admission drop-in rates;
- 10x pass; and
- 1-month or 12-month Rec Pass/Rec Pass Plus passes.
Show your ID for your first purchase only when purchasing an eligible pass from our recreation facilities.
What you need to know
Pay the full price of your pass after your subsidy is applied. You can’t share them with others.
10x passes:
- Use up your 10x pass before buying a new one.
- They can't be bought within 10 days of your fee assistance expiry date.
- They are valid only for the facility type (aquatic & fitness centre, leisure centre and public skate/shinny).
- They expire two years after the date you buy them.
1-month Rec Pass/Rec Pass Plus passes:
- You can renew it up to 29 days in advance.
- You can buy a pass up until one month before your fee assistance expiry date.
12-month Rec Pass/Rec Pass Plus passes:
- You must buy it within the first month of being approved through Fair Entry.
Note: 1-month continuous Rec Pass/Rec Pass Plus passes are not eligible for fee assistance.
City golf courses
Save 65% on regular green fees after 2 p.m. and Twilight 9 or 18 green fees at City golf courses.
How to access golf courses
Check back in March 2026 to get information on the updated process.
What you need to know
- Includes up to 10 rounds of golf.
- One "round" = one scan of your card.
- This can be for 9 holes, Twilight 9, 18 holes or Twilight 18.
- Your game must be played after 2 p.m.
- If you golf before 2 p.m., you'll pay the regular price.
- No rain checks are given on discounted rounds.
- You can't combine your fee assistance rates with other offers or promotions.
Partner facilities
Get discounts to our partner facilities around the city:
- About WP Puppet Theatre - WP Puppet Theatre
- Arts Commons
- Bow Habitat Station
- Cardel Rec South
- Calgary Folk Festival
- Calgary Marathon
- Calgary Rotary Challenger Park
- Calgary Zoo
- The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (formerly Fort Calgary)
- Hangar Flight Museum
- Heritage Park
- Olympic Oval | University of Calgary (ucalgary.ca)
- Marda Loop Communities Association
- Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre
- Sikome Lake
- Silver Springs Outdoor Pool
- MNP Community & Sport Centre (formerly Talisman Centre)
- TELUS Spark
- The Military Museums - The Military Museums
- Trico Centre For Family Wellness
- University of Calgary Active Living
- Vertigo Theatre
- Vivo (formerly Cardel Place)
- YMCA
How to access Recreation Fee Assistance
City-operated recreation facilities
Once you’re approved through Fair Entry, show staff your valid government-issued photo ID or student ID when you visit a City-operated recreation facility.
Partner facilities
Once you’re approved through Fair Entry, show staff:
- Your Fair Entry approval letter (physical copy, emailed copy, or screenshot) and
- Your valid government-issued photo ID or student ID.
Important: Your Fair Entry approval letter must list Recreation Fee Assistance as one of your approved programs. The name on your photo ID or student ID must match the name on the Fair Entry letter.
If you still have a Recreation Fee Assistance card
- Your existing card will stay valid at partner facilities until the expiry date printed on the card.
- After it expires, partner facilities will only accept your Fair Entry approval letter with valid government-issued photo ID or student ID.
- Recreation Fee Assistance cards will not be accepted at partner facilities after Dec. 31, 2026.
- Cards with an AISH expiry date will not be accepted at partner facilities after Dec. 31, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
-
Where can I find my Fair Entry approval letter?
The person listed first on your Fair Entry application will get an email with the approval letter if they provided an email address on their application.
If they did not provide an email address to Fair Entry, their letter will be sent to their mailing address.
You can print it or show the letter received by email (or a digital screenshot of the letter) on your phone. You can also forward the email with the approval letter to your family members.
-
Why do I need the Fair Entry approval letter and photo ID?
The letter identifies you and your family member’s approval for Recreation Fee Assistance. Combined with your photo ID or student ID, this provides confirmation that you are approved for Recreation Fee Assistance.
If the Fair Entry letter does not include Recreation Fee Assistance in the list of approved subsidy programs, you are not eligible for Recreation Fee Assistance.
-
When can I renew my Fair Entry/Recreation Fee Assistance?
You can renew through Fair Entry up to one month before the expiry date.
If you receive Assured Income for Severely Handicapped benefits (AISH) benefits, you do not need to re-apply or renew.
-
English isn't my first language. Can I get help?
Yes. You can call 311 and ask for interpretation. Help is available in over 140 languages.
-
What if I don’t have a phone or access to a printer?
The Calgary Public Library provides free printing services. Calgarians can print up to 50 black and white letter sized pages free of charge.
-
What if I lose my Fair Entry approval letter?
You can reprint it from your email or contact 311 and ask Fair Entry to resend it to you.
-
Why is The City no longer printing Recreation Fee Assistance cards?
Discontinuing Recreation Fee Assistance cards is part of ongoing work to ensure City services are accessible, cost-effective and modern. This change also removes the need for in-person card printing or renewals at City-operated facilities.