The Personal Attendant for Leisure (PAL) Card is an identification card, which is issued to a person who has a disability. It allows the support person to enter a recreation facility for free. A support person can be a friend, family member or a paid worker.
Apply for your card
- Fill out the PAL Card application form, you can also pick up a copy at the Canada Games Complex.
- Two references from the disability community are needed. They could be a support worker, doctor, nurse, SSP, teacher, health professionals, Occupation Therapist, Recreation Therapist, a staff of an agency (CNIB, Autism Ontario) etc. They cannot be a family member.
- Once your PAL Card application is approved, you will be asked to email us a picture. You can email us picture using the contact information below, palcard@thunderbay.ca or have a picture taken at the Canada Games Complex. You can also email us the picture at the same time as the application, to help speed up the process.
- The picture needs to be a headshot with your face visible on a clean background with no hat or sunglasses.
- Please note that the length of time it takes to complete a PAL Card Application depends on a couple factors. Including how long it takes to get ahold of your references.
- If mailing our dropping off a completed application please do so to the Canada Games Complex, Attn PAL Card.
***Please note that the fax number listed on the PAL Card application for those under 18 is currently not working. If faxing an application, please fax all applications to 807-345-4520.
Who can apply
- A person with a disability
- A parent or spouse of someone with a disability
- An agency can apply on behalf of the person
Where can I use my PAL Card?
The PAL Card is accepted at many recreation facilities in Thunder Bay. These include:
- All Recreation and Culture programs,
- Fort William Historical Park,
- Gyms,
- Swimming pools,
- Sports facilities and more!
See below for more facilities and specifics on what usage looks like at each facility.
| Canada Games Complex |
| No fee for the support person to access and use the facility as long as they are accompanying the individual. This Applies for gym use, classes and pool use. |
| Cambrian Players |
| Support person is free, but email ahead of time if tickets are purchased in advance |
| Chapples and Strathcona Golf Course |
| Support person will be allowed access for support purposes. Support person would still need to pay for golf, balls or rental if they choose to participate and not just support. |
| Confederation College Fitness Centre |
| No fee for the support person to access the fitness centre and use the facility as long as they are accompanying the individual. |
| Fit 4 Less |
| Free entry and use of the same amenities for the support person as the individual they are accompanying. |
| Fort William Country Club |
| Fort William Historical Park |
| Free access to the park for the support person. |
| Galaxy Lanes |
| Indigenous Friendship Centre |
| Lakehead Archers |
| Magnus Theatre |
| Mario’s Bowl |
| Rental equipment is included for both the client and support person. The support person can bowl with the client at no extra cost |
| Splish Splash Mini-Putt and Water Park (Boulevard Lake) |
| Free access for the support person. |
| Movati |
| Free access for the support person. The support person must register ahead of time as a participant for any group fitness classes. |
| North Side and South Side Fitness |
| Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame |
| Admission is a donation of $3, but would be waived for the support person, as well as the cost of any programs throughout the year. |
| Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park |
| Free access to the park for the support person. |
| Planet Fitness |
| The support person can have full access to all aspects of the gym that a member has. This includes using the equipment (cardio, strength, 30-min. circuit, etc.) and utilizing the qualified trainers for offered classes and instruction. The only limitation for support persons would be limiting access to the 'Black Card Spa'. This includes tanning, red-light therapy, hydro-massage, and massage chairs. If availability permits (off-peak hours) access to the massage beds and chairs could potentially open up, but tanning and red-light would not be available for the support person. |
| PUSH Fitness Centre |
| Free access and usage of the facility for the support person. |
| Ross Pilates |
| Tapiola Ski and Nature |
| Thunder Bay Art Gallery |
| Thunder Bay Border Cats |
| Thunder Bay Military Museum |
| Free admission for the support person and the support person can accompany the visitor throughout the exhibit spaces. The exhibits, theatre and other spaces are all wheelchair accessible and there is a wheelchair available for use while touring the exhibits free of charge. |
| Thunder Bay Minor Football Association |
| Thunder Bay Museum |
| Thunder Bay Nordic Trails (Kamview) |
| Free access and rentals for the support person. |
| Wilderness Supply |
| Willow Springs Creative Centre |
Temporary PAL Cards
If you are waiting on surgery or if you were in an accident and are recovering, you can get a temporary PAL Card. The expiry dates on temporary PAL Cards are reviewed.
Contact Us
For Adults over 18 years old, please email jessy.bogacki@thunderbay.ca or call 807-684-3338
For Children and Youth under 18 years old, please email sarah.smart@thunderbay.ca or call 807-626-6565
If you require a PDF in an accessible format, please email our Municipal Accessibility Specialist.
Contact Us
Connect
