Abilities Centre

Abilities Centre 125,000 sq.ft. state-of-the-art fully accessible centre offering sports, fitness, arts & life skills. ft. facility in Whitby, Ontario.
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Abilities Centre is a vibrant, inclusive community hub where people of all ages and abilities come together to connect, learn, and grow. From sports, fitness, and arts to education, research, and life skills programs, everything we do is about creating opportunities in a welcoming, energetic space. Our story began in August 2000, when Christine Elliott and the late Honourable Jim Flaherty imagined

a place that would break down barriers and open doors for the over 15% of Canadians living with a disability. They dreamed of a state-of-the-art facility where inclusion was the standard and where people could thrive together. With the support of dedicated volunteers, all levels of government, private donors, and our community, that dream became reality. Ground broke in May 2010, and by June 2012 we opened the doors to our 125,000 sq. Fast forward to today, and our facility has been recognized as one of the most accessible buildings in the world! Abilities Centre is a not-for-profit and registered charity, proudly recognized with the 2016 Ontario David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility. Our work is fuelled by the belief that when everyone can participate, our whole community benefits - and that’s the future we’re building, every day.

06/06/2026

ACCESSIBILITY: As part of National AccessAbility Week, Grade 6 students from C.R. Gummow School took part in a Learn-to-Play Wheelchair Basketball event at the Cobourg Community Centre. 🏀♿

Thank you to the students, who brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to the court. A special thank you to coaches Tamara Steeves and Eric Voss, along with the Whitby Abilities Centre, for providing the wheelchairs, helping organize the event alongside Town staff, and sharing valuable insights that encouraged meaningful conversations about accessibility and inclusion.

As National AccessAbility Week comes to a close, we extend our gratitude to everyone who attended events, showed their support, and helped foster greater awareness and understanding within our community.
Abilities Centre

06/06/2026

Two weeks. Countless conversations. One incredible community.

This May, Abilities Centre had the honour of hosting our own National Accessibility Week alongside the national celebration of National AccessAbility Week, and the energy in this building, and beyond it, was something we will not forget.

From the Dismantling Ableism Symposium with keynote speaker David Lepofsky, to the National Accessibility Sports Forum, to the Community Research Show ‘n’ Tell, to our Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, to the Spring Market, to our Birthday Party Bash, to the Accessibility Awards Gala where we celebrated the remarkable individuals and organizations doing this work every single day. It was two weeks that reminded us exactly why this matters.

And then there were the stories. Seeing Abilities Centre represented on CP24, and watching our community’s voices reach a wider audience, was a moment we are genuinely proud of.

None of this happens without the people who showed up, who nominated, who spoke, who listened, who competed, who browsed, who celebrated, and who believe that a more accessible and inclusive world is not just possible but worth fighting for.



[Video description: Various clips from the events across the weeks celebrating National Accessibility Week!]

06/05/2026

What an incredible day for sport and inclusion!

Some of our team headed to Variety Village in Scarborough to celebrate and take part in the ParaLacrosse Launch Day, and it did not disappoint.

ParaLacrosse Launch Day was a milestone moment for accessible sport in Canada. Brought together by Lacrosse Canada, Lacrossing Barriers, Variety Village, and Abilities Centre, this event opened the door to lacrosse for participants of all abilities. Our staff showed up, tried something new, and experienced firsthand what inclusive sport looks like in action.

We are so proud to be part of a community that is breaking down barriers and creating space for everyone in sport. Days like this remind us why this work matters.

A huge thank you to Lacrosse Canada, Lacrossing Barriers, Variety Village, and the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation for making this event possible.



[Video description: Several clips from the ParaLacrosse Launch Day event, including Abilities Centre’s own Kendra getting into the mix and having fun.]

Today is a celebration of learning, research, and the people pushing knowledge forward, and there's something exciting t...
06/05/2026

Today is a celebration of learning, research, and the people pushing knowledge forward, and there's something exciting to share.

A team from Abilities Centre has co-authored a chapter in the brand-new Routledge Handbook of Physical Literacy, the very first edition of this important resource for the sector. The chapter, titled Leisure and Recreation, falls within the Community and Built Environment section of the handbook and reflects the collective learning of the author group, with real-world examples drawn from work underway at Abilities Centre.

The author team brings together expertise from across the organization, with representation from the research, therapeutic recreation, and physical literacy departments. Together, they've contributed to a resource that will help shape the understanding and practice of leisure, recreation, and physical literacy in classrooms, communities, and built environments across the field.

A huge congratulations to Bronwyn Corrigan, Mikaeli Cavell, Meagan Marques, Adam Fitzpatrick, and Emilie Michalovic on this accomplishment. Abilities Centre is so proud of the work you've done and the knowledge you're sharing with the wider community.

You can learn more about the chapter and the handbook here: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781032703466-37/leisure-recreation-bronwyn-corrigan-mikaeli-cavell-meagan-marques-adam-fitzpatrick-emilie-michalovic



[Image: The cover of the new Routledge Handbook of Physical Literacy, which features a child jumping in the air at a beach.]

Today, our team is proudly wearing red. ❤️June 3rd is Red Shirt Day, a national day of action for accessibility and incl...
06/03/2026

Today, our team is proudly wearing red. ❤️

June 3rd is Red Shirt Day, a national day of action for accessibility and inclusion held during National AccessAbility Week. It's a moment to stand in solidarity with the millions of Canadians living with disabilities, to celebrate their contributions and achievements, and to recommit to building communities where everyone can thrive, regardless of ability.

For us, accessibility and inclusion aren't a one-day effort. They're values we carry into our work every day, from how we coach and support our athletes to how we welcome everyone into our community.

Wearing red is the visible part. The real commitment is in the ongoing work of removing barriers, whether physical, attitudinal, or systemic, so that sport and opportunity are open to all.

Today we wear red, and every day we pledge to do our part.



[Image: A selfie with a group of Abilities Centre staff wearing red shirts in honour of Red Shirt Day.]

Abilities Centre Summer Camp 2026 is coming!Get ready for a summer full of movement, creativity, and connection. Our inc...
06/03/2026

Abilities Centre Summer Camp 2026 is coming!

Get ready for a summer full of movement, creativity, and connection. Our inclusive summer camps are designed for children ages 5 to 12 of all abilities, with exciting weekly themes and activities adapted to support every camper.

Camp runs from June 29 to August 21, and registration is now open.

Weekly themes include:
• Summer Blast
• Sportsmania
• Mystery Week
• Little Adventures
• Lights, Camera, Action
• Discovery Week
• Olympics and Paralympics
• Spirit Week

Camp takes place at Abilities Centre in Whitby. To learn more and register, visit abilitiescentre.org.

Spots fill quickly, so don't wait. We can't wait to see you this summer.



[Image: A promotional graphic with text that reads: Kids Summer Camp. Where every kid can play, grow and belong this summer! June 29 to August 21, 2026. 1 Jim Flaherty Street, Whitby, Ontario. abilitiescentre.org, [email protected]. Three images from past summer camps of participants having fun fill the top-right corner.]

A couple of weeks ago, our Thrive program had a visit we won't soon forget.Our Knights and Castles class welcomed Knight...
06/03/2026

A couple of weeks ago, our Thrive program had a visit we won't soon forget.

Our Knights and Castles class welcomed Knight School Inc for a hands-on presentation all about arms and armour. Sir Josh brought in real medieval weapons and a full suit of armour, which our very own staff member, Christian, was brave enough to try on.

Beyond the chainmail and swords, what made the visit so special was how Sir Josh brought history to life. He shared fascinating information and connected it back to our world today in ways that were engaging, relatable, and genuinely fun for everyone in the room.

Experiences like this are exactly what Thrive is all about. Our program is designed to spark curiosity, build connection, and create meaningful learning moments through hands-on experiences that go beyond the everyday. Whether it's exploring history, building friendships, or discovering new passions, Thrive helps participants engage with the world in ways that are joyful, accessible, and uniquely theirs.

A huge thank you to Knight School Inc and Sir Josh for sharing your time and your talents with us. Our class will be talking about this one for a long time.



[Image 1: Christian rocks his knight's gear while holding his helmet and smiling.
Image 2: The Thrive participants pose with Sir Josh.]

This week is National AccessAbility Week across Canada, and we're proud to be part of a country-wide moment dedicated to...
06/02/2026

This week is National AccessAbility Week across Canada, and we're proud to be part of a country-wide moment dedicated to building something better, together.

This year's theme, Building a Strong, Accessible Canada, reminds us that we all benefit when everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. It's a time to recognize the contributions of individuals, organizations, and workplaces that are breaking barriers and working together to build a more accessible and inclusive country for all.

At Abilities Centre, this work isn't reserved for a single week. It shows up every day, in the programs we run, the partnerships we build, and the people who walk through our doors. Last week, we celebrated in a big way through our National Accessibility Sports Forum, our Spring Market, the storytelling we shared on CP24 and CTV News, and so much more. Each event was a reminder that when we come together, real change becomes possible.

To everyone working alongside us, thank you. Building a strong, accessible Canada takes all of us, and we're honoured to be part of the journey.



[Image: The visual includes the text: National AccessAbility Week 2026. Building a Strong, Accessible Canada. May 31 to June 6, 2026. The visual ends with the Canada Wordmark.]

06/02/2026

Back by popular demand: our Tai Chi Beginner Program is here again!

New to Tai Chi? This welcoming 6-week program introduces you to the movements and foundational concepts of the 24 Yang Simplified Form at a comfortable pace. Returning beginners are encouraged to keep building their confidence, technique, and understanding, too.

Tai Chi benefits body, mind, and spirit. This gentle movement enhances circulation, balance, and overall well-being. Relax, breathe, align, and flow into a practice that boosts your energy, strengthens your immune system, and brings balance to body, mind, and spirit. You'll also learn stretching techniques and the basics of Qi Gong, the Eight Strand Brocade.

Runs Tuesdays from June 9 to July 14 (6-week program).

Fees are:
Member: $90
Non-Member: $115

Register at the front desk. We'd love to see you there!

[Graphic: Text reads: Join us for Tai Chi. Runs from June 9 to July 14. Register today. There's a video and an image of folks doing Tai Chi from the last session.]

06/01/2026

Our 50-50 ticket winner has been drawn. Congratulations, Craig, we’ll be in touch shortly.

Thank you to everyone for all of your support this National Accessibility Week!



[Video description: Rachel draws the winning 50-50 ticket.]

Address

1 Jim Flaherty Street
Whitby, ON
L1N0J2

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 9pm
Tuesday 6am - 9pm
Wednesday 6am - 9pm
Thursday 6am - 9pm
Friday 6am - 9pm
Saturday 8am - 3pm
Sunday 8am - 3pm

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