About Us
The Abilities Centre is an internationally renowned, innovative community hub where people of all ages and abilities enrich their lives by engaging in social, health and cultural programs. The Centre delivers sports, health and fitness, arts and culture, leading-edge research, education and life skills programming in a welcoming, positive,
energetic environment.
The Abilities Centre is focused on bringing together families, friends and neighbours in a spirit of inclusion and opportunity. Inspired by the vision of The Honourable Jim Flaherty and Christine Elliott, the Abilities Centre was conceived in August 2000 in response to a growing need to provide quality recreation and arts programs to over 15% of our population who have a disability. These dedicated volunteers envisioned a welcoming environment in a "state of the art" Centre with a focus on full inclusion and the dream of building similar facilities across Canada and beyond.
Working with all levels of government, the Board of Directors was able to break ground in
May 2010 and open the doors to the 125,000 square foot Centre in June 2012. Funding for the $40 million Centre came from the Federal Government ($18 million), the Provincial Government ($3 million), the Town of Whitby ($1 million), private donors, community fund raising and private loan financing.
The Abilities Centre is a not-for-profit corporation and a registered charity operating in Whitby, Ontario. The Abilities Centre is a 2016 winner of the Ontario David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility.