Access Services

Access Services, includes support for people who experience disabilities, low income, or are new to Canada and may face cultural barriers.

Our recreation programs, facilities, and community inclusion services reflect our ongoing effort to provide meaningful and inclusive opportunities for all.

Recreation Financial Assistance

The Recreation Financial Assistance Program minimizes financial barriers and encourages equal participation and access to all community centre recreation and leisure services.

Families and individuals who meet the following criteria:
1. West Vancouver residents: proof of residency is required for all family members, and
2. Low income, without significant savings or assets
For detailed requirements please refer to the Qualifying for Financial Assistance Program information handout (PDF).
- 50% subsidy on FitPasses (up to a maximum of $362 per subsidy year)
- 50% subsidy on activities (up to a maximum of $400 per subsidy year)
- 100% subsidy towards Enhance West Van and Seniors' Activity Centre memberships
Note: The following are not eligible for a subsidy through the RFAP: birthday parties, personal training, private or semi-private lessons or sessions, fitness and nutritional assessments, consultations and screenings, textbooks, belt testing, exam fees, events, facility rentals, tables at craft fairs, and admission fees on excursions. Other exclusions may apply.
1. Ensure you qualify for recreation assistance: Qualifying for Financial Assistance Program - Information Handout (PDF). Note the program is only available to West Vancouver residents.
2. Create an account at activewestvanrec if you do not have a current recreation account. Create the account online or with the assistance of staff from the West Vancouver Community Centre.
3. Complete and sign the Recreation Financial Assistance Program Application form. Applications cannot be processed without a signed and dated application form.
4. Gather copies of supporting documents listed in the Qualifying for Financial Assistance Program - Information Handout. Include your most recent tax information. Please include any EI documents if you received these benefits.
5. Drop off your signed and completed application form and copies of your supporting documentation to the West Vancouver Community Centre front desk. Your signed, completed original application form and copies of supporting documents should be in a sealed envelope to the attention of: Recreation Financial Assistance Program. Please print your name, phone number and email on the outside of the envelope as well as inside the package. Important: with your application, please state whether you require the return of your supporting documents as you will be responsible for picking them up once the application process is completed.
6. Staff will register you for a Recreation Financial Assistance Program Interview when you drop off your envelope. Registration is not available online. There is no specific date or time attached to this interview. The registration confirms that you have dropped off your signed application and supporting documents.
7. Review of your application and supporting documents will take 2-6 weeks depending on volume of applications received. Your documents will be held in a secure area. Once your submitted material is reviewed you will be contacted by Access Services via phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional documents if anything is missing.
8. Your application will be assessed, and you will be contacted with the result of your application via phone or email.
9. When you receive the results of your application, please confirm with Access Services whether you require the return of your supporting documents as you will be responsible for retrieving them. Any documents not retrieved within 6 weeks post-interview will be securely shredded.
10. If you possess only electronic versions of your supporting documents: please follow the above process by dropping off your completed, signed application and add a note inside the envelope to state you have electronic versions of documents only. The front desk will register the drop off of your envelope and you will be contacted by Access Services with instructions as to how to upload your documents to a secure server. Please do not email any supporting documents.
Please fill out fillable PDF versions of the forms or pick them up at the West Vancouver Community Centre front desk.
- Qualifying for Financial Assistance Program - Information Handout (PDF)
- Recreation Financial Assistance Program Application (PDF)
Discounted student, family and seniors rates are available for designated drop-ins and memberships. View Admissions & Passes for more information about other low-cost programs.

Free activities include an outdoor basketball court and table tennis at the West Vancouver Community Centre, tennis courts throughout West Vancouver, youth drop-in programs at the Youth Hub at Park Royal South, West Vancouver Community Centre and Gleneagles Community Centre.

Leisure Access Card

The Leisure Access Card is intended for persons with disabilities.

Leisure Access Card Application

If you are a person with a disability, the Leisure Access Card makes it easier for you to use our programs and services with support.

You can also meet with a District staff person to discuss adaptations or ideas for making your experience with us better.

The application is mandatory for participants over the age of seven who use our facilities more than once with a support worker.

Shower Program

This program provides access to showers for community members who would otherwise not have access to a shower.

Summer Camp Support

Our camps run on a philosophy of inclusion, so all children can have fun with their peers and participate to the best of their ability in summer camp activities.

Summer Camp Inclusion Program Application

Families are welcome and encouraged to bring their own support person to any program (if required). A participant in a camp is not considered support for another camper. If your child will be attending with their own support person, please let us know when you have registered by emailing [email protected]. This will help us plan for the extra person (e.g. for admissions and bus transportation).
If your family is not providing your own support person, we are offering support to children aged 5 – 15, based on availability and funding. Your child must be able to use the washroom as well as change and transfer independently. Your child’s safety, the safety of other participants, and the safety of District of West Vancouver staff are our primary considerations.

If your child receives full or part-time support of an Education Assistant (EA) during the school year or if your child requires support to participate in recreation—please fill out a Summer Camp Inclusion Program (SCIP) application and let us know when you have registered or are waitlisted by emailing [email protected].

The SCIP application is also available at any recreation facility front desk.

Children may receive a maximum of 1 – 2 weeks of support during the summer. Applications are processed on a first-come basis.

Accessibility in Public Facilities and Spaces

The District of West Vancouver has taken steps toward making all its facilities accessible to people of differing abilities.
More information here.