Children's Programs

View the City's section of the Winter Key for information on available programs and services.

Youth Move

• Ages 12-18 welcome
• In-person and virtual programming offered
• Indoor programming is offered Tuesday-Friday from 3-9pm and Saturday from 12-4pm at the Kinsmen Youth Centre (609 James St. N.)
• Social distancing will be implemented, and masks are required (will be provided if participants do not have one)
• Games, crafts, video games, computer access, sports, snacks and more.

For more information on Youth Move, call 625-2344 or find Youth Move on Facebook or Instagram.

Youth Inclusion Program

The Youth Inclusion Program provides neighbourhood based programming created to fit the needs of youth ages 12-24. 

• YIP is currently accepting referrals for one-to-one supports
  • Fill out a participant referral form to request support
  • Youth Navigators will work with youth to identify strengths and provide support for employment, housing, well-being, education, mental health, and pro-social cultural and recreational opportunities
• Virtual programming is available! Check out YIP on instagram or facebook for details on upcoming programs and events
• Email youthinclusion@thunderbay.ca for more details

Junior Inclusion Services (J.I.S.) provides support for the Recreation & Culture Division's programs to children and youth with special needs. Support includes one week per participant. 

View the Winter Key for programs that JIS supports. 

To request support: Call 625-3220

Under Level Orange - Restrict:

• Maximum of 50 people total per facility for all classes, organized programs or organized activities, together with the total number of people in all areas with weights and exercise machines (pool is considered separate from this total for the Canada Games Complex)
• Maximum of 10 people per room indoors and 25 outdoors in fitness or exercise classes
• No spectators (exemption for one parent/guardian to accompany each child under the age of 18 who is engaged in an activity at the facility)
• Patrons may only be in the facility for 90 minutes except if engaging in a sport

Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre

To help mitigate the risk of COVID-19, the following rules/procedures will be in place at the 55 Plus Centre:

• Masks are required to enter the building and must be worn in all public places, but may be removed for fitness classes once in the space
• No entry permitted prior to 10 minutes before a participant's activity starts
• Pre-screening is required. Please fill out the online pre-screening form if possible, otherwise paper copies are available at the door.
• Pre-booking is required for all activities, including drop-in programs. Call 684-3403 for details.
• Programs will have limited capacity
• No use of change rooms or shower facilities
• Participants are asked to bring their own water bottles to fill at the new touchless water fill stations

The River Street Cafe will offer take-out service only, with no seating in the cafe. The Library, Gift Shop, Billiard Room and Puzzle Exchange cupboard remain closed for the time being. 

Watch for upcoming winter programming in the Winter Key, with distribution over the weekend of Dec. 5.

West Arthur Community Centre

• West Arthur Community Centre has reopened for 55 Plus Programming
• Pre-screening is required prior to entry
• Limited hours include Thursdays 8:30am to 12pm and Fridays 8:30am to 4pm
• Call 684-3066 with questions

Churchill Pool is now open. Pre-bookings for limited aquatics activities, including lane swimming, family swims, and group bookings, are required and will be taken by phone. Please call 577-2538 to pre-book. 

The Canada Games Complex is currently open with some limitations/modifications.

• Under level Orange:
  • Maximum of 50 people total per facility for all classes, organized programs or organized activities, together with the total number of people in all areas with weights and exercise machines (pool is considered separate from this total for the Canada Games Complex)
  • Maximum of 10 people per room indoors and 25 outdoors in fitness or exercise classes
  • No spectators (exemption for one parent/guardian to accompany each child under the age of 18 who is engaged in an activity at the facility)
  • Patrons may only be in the facility for 90 minutes except if engaging in a sport
• Pre-bookings are now required for all activities within the facility (now also includes weight/cardio rooms and track). Call 684-3311 to pre-book activities or visit the CGC's website.
• Pre-screening is required prior to entry. Fill out the online pre-screening tool the day of your activity, or a paper copy when you arrive.
• Babysitting service and towel rentals will not be available at this time
• Limited capacity in workout areas due to physical distancing and capacity limits
• Call 625-8463 to register for swim lessons.

View the Winter Key for upcoming winter programs. Registration will begin December 7.

Volunteer Pool reopening plans are currently under review.

Under level Orange - Restrict:

• For centres that offer meeting and event spaces (including weddings), a limit of four people may be seated together
• Liquor can only be sold or served up until 9 pm
• No consumption of liquor permitted between 10 pm to 9 am
• Meeting and event spaces must be closed from 10 pm to 5 am

The following centres have reopened with limited activities: 

• Current River (683-8451)
• Jumbo Gardens (625-2304)
• North McIntyre (767-1400)
• Oliver Road (345-9531)
• South Neebing - for judo only (475-4622)
• West Thunder (475-9396)
• Vale (625-2304)
• Vickers Heights (577-8596)
• Thunder Bay Community Tennis Centre (577-1514, closed for winter season)

These centres are operated by external boards, and available services will vary by centre. Please contact the centres directly for inquiries.

West Arthur Community Centre is closed with the exception of daytime 55 Plus programming. North End remains closed at this time.

All arenas are now open with limited capacity. Contact the Facility Booking Coordinator for Arenas & Stadia inquiries and bookings at 807-625-2434.

Please note the following COVID-19 protocols for public and staff safety:

• Pre-screening is required before entering any City recreational facility. Fill out the online tool here: www.thunderbay.ca/rfst

• Players must come dressed to arena (other than skates and helmets – no bags inside)

• Masks are required inside the facility (but may be removed when putting on helmet and/or actively participating in physical activity)

• No access to dressing rooms at this time

• Please arrive and depart within 15min of your ice rental

• Maximum 25 participants per booking

• Under level Orange, no spectators (exemption for one parent/guardian to accompany each child under the age of 18 who is engaged in an activity at the facility)

• Public skating is cancelled until further notice.

• Fort William Gardens (FWG) is open for limited ice time until additional staffing is in place

• FWG Box Office is closed to the public

• All arena concession sites are closed indefinitely until further notice.

Stay tuned for updates on Winter Fundays and SnowDay!

• Screen online or at the entry the day of your activity. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms or are feeling unwell, please do not enter. 
• Wear a mask throughout all spaces of the facility, except while actively engaging in strenuous physical activity
• Wipe down any shared equipment after use (eg. after using fitness equipment). Our staff will also be cleaning and disinfecting throughout the day, but this will help prevent spread between each use.
• Practice physical distancing based on current standards. 
• Follow capacity limits posted in each facility/room.
• Only enter through designated, monitored entrances. Do not let people in unmonitored entrances/exits.
• Pre-book fitness classes, pool times and squash times. Additional reservations may be required depending on the facility or the city's current level in Ontario's Response Framework.
• Please bring your own water bottle as only water bottle filling stations will be available and not fountains.
• Sanitize hands upon entering a facility, and practice frequent hand washing/sanitizing as needed after engaging in activities throughout the facility.
• Respectful behaviour is expected from both our staff and customers. Please respect our staff as they work hard to provide programs and services while keeping the public and themselves safe. Acts of aggression and harrassment towards staff or other users will not be tolerated and those who act in such a manner will be asked to leave. Please be respectful as we all adapt to new protocols.

Yes! Please wear a mask at all times in the facility except while actively engaging in strenuous physical activity. 

Some people are exempt due to medical conditions or other factors. Under law, we are not allowed to ask them for proof of exemption, so we ask that patrons respect eachother's privacy and continue to physically distance. 

We're know it's different and inconvenient to come and go (mostly) dressed for sport.  Thank you for making this change with us.

Indoor recreation and sport activities can lead to virus transmission and super spreading events, particularly in small/enclosed spaces like dressing rooms. We have implemented measures to help keep the risk of spread low under the guidance of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and industry standards.  We are looking forward to reopening our arena dressing rooms as soon as we can do so safely. 

We consider ourselves lucky to still be able to offer access to recreational facilities and appreciate your patience with the fact that we are not fully 'back to normal'.  Restricting access and capacity is inconvenient but necessary to keep our facilities open for you to enjoy.

Everyone must screen every time they enter our facilities - this is particularly important as we have hit the second wave in Thunder Bay. Answers to screening can change very quickly with the onset of even minor symptoms.

It is vital that participants answer each question truthfully, and do not enter if they are exhibiting ANY symptoms of COVID-19. It is simply not worth the risk.

We need to be able to track the number of people in the facility at all times. Staffing levels might mean some exits will be locked from the outside (ie. people can exit but not enter), as staff may not be available to monitor every door.

It is very important that visitors do not attempt to let other people in through an unmonitored exit. This can lead to overcrowding and visitors not being properly screened, putting participants and staff at risk.

• Minimize social gatherings of participants and spectators both before and after the activity. This includes spectator stands, washrooms and the areas outside of the filed of play/facilities. 
• Limit carpooling and meals (in homes or at restaurants) to those within your household 
• Limit gatherings inside and outside facilities. Ensure a two-metre physical distance and wearing masks if parents and/or participants are socializing in the facility parking lots.   
• Do not coach or play for more than one team 
• Wear a face mask at all times unless engaged in strenuous athletic activity 
• Maintain physical distance of at least two metres from other people before, during and after the activity 
• Clean and disinfect equipment between uses 
• Do not share your sports gear with other people 
• Practice frequent hand hygiene by using an alcohol-based hand rub or washing your hands with soap
• Adhere to all current public health guidelines/restrictions around travel and gatherings.

The Pandemic has taken a toll on many people's physical and mental health. It's important to stay active through various forms of physical activity. As long as it is deemed safe to do so by public health officials, we will continue to offer recreational opportunities that are allowed under the Province's Reopening Framework, with proper protocols in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

As the situation can change quickely due to sudden rise in cases, or potential increased exposure at recreational facilities, it may result in some facilities being recommended to close or hours/activities changing. We will keep you updated through this website and social media should any changes occur. 

• Beaded Wind Chimes
• Bird Feeders
• Coffee Filter Tie-Dye
• Colouring Sheets: City of Thunder Bay 50th Anniversary, Thunder Bay Adventurers Camp, I Can Wash My Hands, and CBC's curated Canadian Artists' pages - The CBC resource may include content not suitable for younger audiences.
• Homemade Play Dough
• Photo Challenge
• Thoughtful Thursdays: Happy Jars and Window Art
• Thunder Bay Art Gallery's Be Kind Project
• Try-It Tuesdays: Spring Salt Dough Ornaments

• COVID-19: Crossword Puzzle and Social Story
• Math Games: Close Call, Fraction War, and Tens Go Fish
• Science Activities: Clouds, Fireworks in a Jar, and Liquid Rainbows
• Mad Libs: Thunder Bay Adventures
• Webinars: Thunder Bay Museum
• Word Searches: Children & Youth and Spring

• Active Alphabet
• Cards Fitness Relay
• Coin Toss
• Dice Animal Relay
• Physical Literacy at Home - A Sport for Life Resource (family activity).
• Squat, Paper, Scissors!
• Youth Intro Fitness Program - A Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Resource.

• 55 Plus Group Chat Line
• COVID-19 Support Handout - A 211 Ontario Resource.
• COVID-19 Older Adults Information Brochure
• MusicTogether - A living room concert series to support Ontario musicians impacted by the effects of COVID19. Note: Donations are accepted, but not required.
• Unemployment Resources: Culture & Tourism Sector and Canadian Musicians

• Journal Prompts for Teens
• Playlist Creation for Teens
• Selfie Challenge

• Activity Hopscotch
• Backyard Scavenger Hunt
• Fun Things To Do With Your Family Outside
• Hopscotch
• I Spy
• Make Your Own Kite
• Safe Cycling Thunder Bay - A virtual cycling resource for youth. Information for adults to be added soon!
• Thunder Bay Window Walks

• National Film Board of Canada -The National Film Board of Canada has over 4,000 films, documentaries, and short pieces available to stream for free.
• Thunder Bay's Algoma House
• Thunder Bay Community Auditorium -The TBCA will post live-stream performances from local and non-local entertainers on their Facebook page.

• Blended Banana Ice Cream
• Homemade Dip 'N Dots
• Worms in Dirt