The Ministry of Education's Community Use of Schools initiative helps schools provide reduced rental rates to eligible not-for-profit community groups. All school boards in the province receive an annual funding allocation to cover the operating expenses of the program.

In Oakville, eligible groups can book facility space in schools directly through the town. C.O.R.E. members receive priority status and the lowest rental rate.

Here are links to rate tables and eligibility requirements:

Town of Oakville:

http://www.oakville.ca/useofschools.htm

Halton Catholic District School Board

http://www.hcdsb.org/communityuse/rates.htm

Halton District School Board

http://www.myhdsb.ca/AboutUs/FacilityServices/Pages/RentalsCommunityUseofSchools.aspx

In 2009, the Ministry launched a new Priority School Initiative that gives additional funding to schools so that they may provide FREE space to eligible not-for-profit community groups.

Priority schools are identified by the Ministry using socio-economic Census data. Each participating Board is then asked to select a number of schools from the list based on their proximity to other schools, community centres, and other resources.

Of the 150+ priority schools listed in the province this year, none are located in Oakville or the greater Halton region. Since priority schools are evaluated on an annual basis, we will keep you updated should any Oakville-area schools are added to the list.