CLEAR ensures equity in participation

Clearview Township’s Parks and Recreation department has unveiled a plan to make programs more accessible to children in low income families.

Director Terry Vachon told a recent meeting of council that the Community Leisure for Eligible Youth at Affordable Rates (CLEAR) initiative is designed to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to participate in programs, regardless of their economic circumstances.

“Our programs are generally heavily subsidized with taxpayer dollars,” said Vachon, “but they often include registration fees. With this new program, qualifying full-time residents can receive credits for those fees.”

The subsidies will be in the form of credits through the township’s online registration platform, Xplor Recreation.

Credits will vary based on household size from $150 per year for a single child up to $375 for families with four or more children.

Eligible programs will include swimming lessons, Youth Centre programs, and skating.

Vachon said the department will rely on referrals from third party agencies such as the Salvation Army, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, family doctors and local schools to determine eligibility.

There is no way of predicting at this stage how many people will take advantage of the program.

Initially the program will be funded out of the general budget.