Facility Overview
Built for Everyone. Designed for Excellence.
Abilities Centre is one of Canada’s most recognized fully accessible community facilities, offering sport, fitness, arts, and life skills programming alongside research and education opportunities for people of all ages and abilities in Durham Region and beyond.
Recognized as an International Centre of Excellence for its fully accessible design, inclusive environment, world-class partnerships, and signature programming, our multi-award-winning facility in Whitby, Ontario is built on a simple but powerful belief: when a space is designed for everyone, everyone can do more.
Whether you are here to compete, train, create, recover, learn, or simply connect with your community, you will find a space at Abilities Centre that was made with you in mind.
An Exceptional Venue for Every Occasion
Looking for a venue that is fully accessible, welcoming, and unlike anywhere else in Durham Region? Abilities Centre is a 125,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Whitby, Ontario, and we open our doors to the community for events of all shapes and sizes.
From birthday parties and corporate retreats to social gatherings and sports tournaments, our team works with you to find the right space, create the right atmosphere, and make your event one to remember. Every booking also supports our mission of building more inclusive communities across Durham Region and beyond.
We have proudly hosted hundreds of events and we would love to host yours next.
Conveniently located with:
- Free on-site parking
- Easy access to public transit
- Fully accessible amenities throughout
- A warm, inclusive, and welcoming environment
Sport and Athletics
Three FIBA Basketball Courts
Full-size, regulation basketball courts available for recreational play, competitive programming, wheelchair basketball, and facility rentals.
6-Lane, 200-Metre Indoor Track
An IAAF-approved indoor running and walking track offering six lanes of fully accessible, year-round space for athletes and recreational walkers alike.
High-Performance Training Space
A dedicated environment for athletes on competitive pathways, including those in our Academy for Student Athlete Development (A.S.A.D.) program.
Variations in Sport
Abilities Centre provides access to a wide range of adaptive and parasport equipment, ensuring that every athlete, regardless of ability, can participate fully in the sports and activities they love.
Fitness and Wellness
Cardio and Free Weight Areas
A fully equipped fitness floor with cardio machines, free weights, and functional training equipment designed to be accessible and welcoming for all fitness levels and abilities.
Aerobics and Specialty Fitness Rooms
Dedicated studio spaces for group fitness classes, yoga, spin, strength training, and specialty programming across our four wellness pathways.
HUR Adaptive Strength Equipment
State-of-the-art HUR technology offering pneumatic resistance training designed specifically for people of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels, including older adults and those in post-rehabilitation.
Arts, Life Skills, and Community Spaces
Theatre
A dedicated performance and presentation space available for productions, events, community gatherings, and facility rentals.
Studio 2
A flexible multi-purpose studio space supporting arts programming, workshops, and community events.
Sensory Room
A thoughtfully designed sensory space that supports individuals who benefit from a calm, controlled environment, reflecting Abilities Centre’s commitment to accessibility in every corner of our facility.
Children’s Playground
An accessible indoor playground designed to support movement, play, and development for children of all abilities.
Meeting and Event Spaces
Boardroom
A professional meeting space available for bookings by internal teams, community partners, and external organizations. Fully accessible and equipped for presentations and collaborative work.
Meeting and boardroom spaces
Ideal for workshops, planning sessions, training days, and presentations
Lounge areas
Perfect for networking events, receptions, and casual team gatherings
The Field House
A versatile, large-format space suitable for conferences, trade shows, corporate tournaments, and large celebrations
Multi-purpose studio spaces
Great for team-building activities, wellness sessions, and breakout programming
Facility FAQ
Who can join Abilities Centre?
Abilities Centre is for everyone! People of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds are welcome to join. Our programs serve the needs of everyone from preschoolers to seniors. We have a variety of membership types that provide you with access to sports, arts, and life-skills programs in a welcoming, positive, energized environment.
How much does it cost to join Abilities Centre?
Annual membership rates are listed here: https://staging.abilitiescentre.org/membership-pricing/
Additional children beyond the three included in Family memberships are $10 per child per month.
All rates are plus facility management fee and applicable taxes.
If cost is a barrier to joining, our Membership Assistance Program (MAP) offers reduced membership fees for individuals and families who qualify. Learn more at /membership/assistance-program/.
What are your hours of operation?
Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
For holiday hours and scheduled closures visit: https://staging.abilitiescentre.org/hours-and-closures/
Where does my membership fee go?
Abilities Centre is a non-profit organization that welcomes people of all ages and abilities. Your membership has a meaning and that meaning helps to support and maintain many incredible features within our fully accessible and inclusive state-of-the-art facility such as the Jim Flaherty Fieldhouse’s 6-lane 200-metre IAAF approved indoor track, a Sensory Room, designated areas for therapy, spacious and accessible free-weight areas and much more.
Our programs and services positively impact people of all abilities in our community and beyond and gives access to equal participation and opportunities across many areas such as fitness, life skills, art, employment, youth training, sport and recreation, and more. Your membership helps us support the social inclusion, economic participation and health and well-being of all our members and the communities we serve.
What programs are inclusive and accessible?
Abilities Centre and all our programs are inclusive and fully accessible! Anyone and everyone is welcome to register for our programs and fitness classes. Our program coordinators and instructors specialize in adapting movements and activities to suit the needs of our members.
Do you close for special events?
Occasionally, Abilities Centre will close early or operate on an adapted schedule to accommodate facility rentals and special events. Members will be notified in advance through our member newsletter, postings around the facility, and on social media.