Dear Teachers,
We’re excited to share important updates for school group bookings at Chappelle Gardens for the 2025–2026 school year!
To help us serve you better, we’ve made a few changes to our booking process, policies, and timelines. Here’s what you need to know:
📅 Key Booking Dates
Splash Park Bookings (May 19 – June 23 2026)
→ General reservations open February 16, 2026.
Splash Park Bookings (September 1-11, 2026)
→ General reservations open June 15, 2026.
Skating Rink Bookings (December 15 2026 – February 28 2027)
→ General reservations open September 15, 2026.
A link to the online booking form will be emailed to previous renters at least one week before general bookings open, giving priority to those who have supported CGRA in the past.
All bookings will continue to offer access to our outdoor skating rinks or splash park, playground, outdoor space, washrooms, and the skate change room.
🌡️ Weather Dependency Notice: Outdoor Bookings
Please note that all outdoor bookings are weather dependent.
While we strive to have our skating rinks open by December 15, this is not guaranteed. In order to safely open the rinks, we require:
- Overnight temperatures consistently below -10 C
- Daytime temperatures consistently below -2 C
- These conditions must be sustained for at least two weeks
Similarly, we aim to have the Splash Park open by Victoria Day, but this depends on weather conditions. We require:
- At least two weeks of dry weather
- Daytime temperatures consistently above 14°C
- Nighttime temperatures consistently above freezing
We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize safety and facility readiness. If you have any concerns or would like to explore backup options for your event, feel free to reach out.
🚍 Streamlined Booking Options
To better accommodate the growing number of school group requests, all bookings will now be organized into standardized time blocks. This updated format ensures we can welcome more groups while maintaining a high-quality experience for all participants.
Morning session: 9:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Afternoon session: 12:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Thursday session: 9:15 AM – 2:15 PM
Teachers may book multiple sessions in one day, subject to availability.
💵 School Group Pricing
Pricing is based on your peak number of students on site at any one time. Please select the tier that best matches your group size. If your group is just slightly over a tier limit, you may add up to 10 additional students at a rate of $3 per student. Once this buffer is exceeded, the booking moves to the next tier. Thursday bookings are 5 hours in length and are priced proportionally to our standard 3-hour bookings.
Pricing Chart
| Group Size | Neighbourhood* Schools (3 hours) | Neighbourhood* Schools (Thursday 5 hours) | All Other Schools (3 hours) | All Other Schools (Thursday 5 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-30 students | $90 | $150 | $115 | $190 |
| 31-60 students | $170 | $285 | $235 | $390 |
| 61-90 students | $240 | $400 | $350 | $585 |
| 91-120 students | $300 | $500 | $470 | $785 |
| 121-150 students | $345 | $575 | $585 | $975 |
*(Donald R. Getty and Garth Worthington)
➕ Additional Students
If your group slightly exceeds a tier’s maximum, teachers may add up to 10 extra students to any tier at a rate of $3 per student. This option is available to allow flexibility without requiring a full tier jump.
Example: A group of 33 students can book under the 1–30 tier ($90 for resident schools) and pay an additional $9 for the 3 extra students.
This option must be confirmed at the time of booking to ensure adequate staffing and preparation.
- Maximum students on site at any given time: 165
- This limit applies across all sessions and bookings.
- No exceptions will be made.
This maximum includes all students participating in Splash Park programming at the same time.
🛎️ New Booking Process
1. Complete the online booking request form.
2. Wait for an email reply from our Events Coordinator.
3. Complete and submit your: School Group Rental Agreement & Waiver, Payment arrangements (credit card, cheque, or invoice to account), Preliminary guest numbers (how many students and chaperones you expect).
4. Our Events Coordinator will confirm receipt of all required documents and payment.
5. One week prior to your event, submit your final guest numbers (all students and chaperones attending).
6. Receive a reminder email from our Events Coordinator with final event details.
7. Arrive onsite the day of your booking.
8. Check in at the front desk and confirm your final guest total.
9. Unload gear and change in the Skate Change Room
(as needed).
10. Head outdoors to enjoy your event!
🍿Rental Enhancements & Snack Shack
Enhance your visit with our optional Rental Enhancement Packages, perfect for extending play and keeping students engaged.
During your visit, students can also enjoy a treat from our Snack Shack program, which offers a selection of popular items.
Important notes:
- Snack Shack orders must be pre-submitted
- On-site or same-day Snack Shack requests cannot be accommodated
- Orders must be finalized in advance to ensure availability
Details on available enhancement packages and Snack Shack options will be provided during the booking process.
To help us serve your group efficiently and ensure adequate stock, schools are strongly encouraged to pre-order snacks. A pre-order form will be sent with your booking confirmation. Payment is accepted in advance or day of the event by one transaction paid with cash, credit or debit card.
Please note: We are unable to accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions at this time. If this affects any students in your group, we recommend bringing their own snacks from home. Please note: glass is not permitted in the park. Ensure any snacks or drinks brought from home are not in glass containers.
🛑 Important Reminders
- You may book both a morning and an afternoon spot if you wish, but:
- The total maximum capacity remains at 165 students plus supervising adults.
- Bookings cannot be combined to increase capacity beyond 165 students on site at any given time.
- Groups must vacate promptly at the end of their reserved time; a $50.00 fee per 15 minutes may apply to groups who overstay.
- All groups must comply with minimum 10:1 student to supervision ratios.
- Bookings are weather-dependent and may be rescheduled in the case of extreme conditions.
- Full payment is required within 48 hours of receiving your invoice to secure your booking.
Looking for more information? Check out our FAQ’s or email us at events@chappellegardensra.ca
Thank you again for choosing Chappelle Gardens — we look forward to hosting your next field trip!
