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A miuti-use gym area in the West End Community Centre
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Recreation Facility Allocation Process Review

We're reviewing how we assign recreation spaces to ensure the right users are booked into the right spaces, and at the right times, in a fair and equitable way. This work is meant to respond to growing demand from the community and operational complexity. It will also support the upcoming opening of the South End Community Centre.

Meaningful engagement is essential to achieving this goal. By hearing directly from community members and staff, the project will be grounded in real experience and shaped by the diverse needs, challenges, and expectations of those most affected by the system. 

How can I participate right now?

This engagement is now closed.

You can read a summary of what we did and what we heard during engagement and watch for the new process recommendations at council in March 2026.

Wow we engaged the community:

In 2025, we were looking for feedback from people and organizations who have booked, attempted to book space at our recreation facilities or from people that are interested in booking facilities.

We wanted to better understand the needs, perspectives, and priorities of people and organizations when it comes to: 

  • your experience booking and using recreation spaces, 
  • what you think an ideal booking experience might look like, and 
  • what would increase the transparency, equity, and fairness in our process and decision-making.

We started with a survey (open October 8 - 26, 2026) and invited some users to an interview. Users who were not contacted but wanted to share their experience directly with a team member were also invited to reach out to facilitybooking@guelph.ca.

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289 participants

Further reading

Phases

Phases overview
Background information
User experiences and needs
Reviewing our findings

Background information

May 1, 2025 - September 29, 2025

The City of Guelph provides recreation programs and services directly and we recognize the valuable contribution that community organizations and groups play in delivering programs and services that meet community needs and interests.  

The Facility Allocation Process outlines how space is scheduled and distributed in our recreation and parks facilities. We strive to foster equity and be more inclusive in our programs and services. This process helps ensure that allocation is managed in a way that balances the needs of all users in a transparent, efficient, and responsible way. 

We are reviewing this process to ensure the right users are booked into the right spaces and at the right times in a fair and equitable way. This work is meant to respond to growing demand from the community and operational complexity, it will also support the upcoming opening of the South End Community Centre. 

Check out some of our facilities and parks that are available to rent and learn how to book rentals. We have a variety of facilities and parks available to rent for sporting activities, meetings, parties, and special events. 

Facility Rentals

For more information and to inquire about availability of indoor or outdoor facilities, email facilitybooking@guelph.ca, call us at 519-837-5678 or complete a facility rental request form online.