Community Use of Schools

The District School Board of Niagara endorses and encourages the community’s participation in the use of its facilities and resources.

• Permit Application Form (PDF)
• Application Form Playing Fields (PDF)
• Rental Rates (PDF)
• School List (PDF)

It is the policy of the District School Board of Niagara that its facilities will be made available for community use for the mutual benefit of students and the community, in a manner that is both fair and equitable on a cost recovery basis, in accordance with Policy C-1 - "Community Use of Schools - General".

School facilities and resources shall be made available during the school year through the issuance of rental contracts.

Community Use of Schools Program

In recognition of the many benefits associated with community use of school space the "Community Use of Schools program" has been developed by the Ministry of Education. This initiative supports access to school space outside of school hours for not-for-profit community groups. Not-for-profit user groups who meet the criteria are within categories 5 and 6 (See description of categories below) qualify for reduced rates under the program. The program was initiated in the 2003-2004 school year and has been renewed on an annual basis. All DSBN schools are available through the permit process. A complete list of schools, including addresses is available by clicking here.

What you need to do:

1. User groups must fill out the appropriate application forms, which are available at all school facilities, in the Permit Office and on this website (see Community Use of Schools - Permit Application).
2. Completed applications are to be submitted to the School Rentals Office, following all the applicable rules and regulations that accompany the application form. A Rentals Clerk will process the application, and advise the applicant if the facility requested is available.
3. Once an application is approved, a rental contract will be issued and the applicant will be invoiced with the applicable fees, as per Policy C-1.

Description of Rental Rate Categories

Category 2 - Base cost to operate and maintain the facility
Category 3 - Fundraising
Category 4 - Profit Making
Category 5 - Base cost to operate and maintain the facility, less Ministry funding
Category 6 - Fundraising, less Ministry funding

Criteria for Qualifying for Reduced Rates

• Not-for profit youth-related community groups where the activities are intended for participants under the age of 18 (or where the participants are under a disability then under the age of 28)
• Not-for-profit recognized children’s sports and recreation service providers.
• Not-for profit childcare operations involved with before and after school childcare programs delivered by eligible operators (as per the Day Nurseries Act)
• Not-for-profit or charitable groups such as local services clubs, community health associations, seniors groups, etc as determined by the DSBN.
• The not-for-profit group and/or applicant must be a resident of the Niagara Region and programs offered must be open to the public