Full Breakdown
Permit Fee Hikes at Toronto and York Region School Boards Spark Community Backlash
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) raised the fees that community groups must pay to rent school facilities such as gyms, auditoriums and cafeterias. The new structure has pushed annual permits for some leagues from a few thousand dollars to six-figures. For example, Simon Rogers, who has run a basketball league at TDSB’s Central Technical School for 17 years, said his permit cost rose from just over $3,400 last year to $9,818 plus “some change” this year. In York Region, the York North Basketball Association (YNBA) reported its permit bill climbing from roughly $45,000 to about $208,000.
Background and Rationale
She noted that historically weekend fees were intended to recover full costs, but recent fees “have not kept pace,” prompting staff to divert “hundreds of thousands of dollars” from other budget areas.
Impact on Community Sports Groups
The fee hikes have forced several leagues to raise participant fees dramatically or cancel programs. Tony Koubridis, who runs a men’s basketball league at Aurora High School, saw his annual rental bill jump from $1,500 to $13,897, prompting him to cancel the league. Stephen Paine, president of YNBA, said the organization now faces a shortfall of roughly $185,000 and that hourly gym rates have risen from $12 to $83, plus a $40 caretaking surcharge. He warned that “we’re going to lose kids,” noting a drop of about 100 registrations.
Official Statements & Responses
Both boards emphasize that the new fee structures are part of a multi-year process begun in September 2025 and are intended to ensure that funds earmarked for students and programs are properly allocated. The TDSB highlighted the need to stop subsidizing weekend rentals that have become under-funded, while the YRDSB reiterated its commitment to support not-for-profit permit holders in exploring alternative options. The provincial Ministry of Education has been contacted for comment but has not responded.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Historically, weekend facility rental fees were intended to recover the full cost of providing access to school facilities, however over recent years, fees have not kept pace,” — Zoya McGroarty, spokesperson for the TDSB
- “It wasn’t a small jump, to go from $1,500 to $14,000 in one year is insane,” — Tony Koubridis
- “We’ve now basically cancelled the league,” — Tony Koubridis
- “We’re going to lose kids. … Already our house league registrations are down by about 100 kids,” — Stephen Paine, president of the association