Recreation Facility Rentals

All renters must obtain general liability insurance – they can either opt-in to the City’s User Group Program, or get their own “Liability Insurance Policy” with a reputable company of their choice.

If you choose to get your own liability insurance, you must submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) that:

• must be in an amount of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) covering each date/activity within the rental permit;
• must be placed with a reputable insurer which is licensed to carry on business in Ontario and which is acceptable to the City;
• must include “The Corporation of the City of Sarnia” and its representatives and employees as an “additionally insured”;
• must include bodily injury, property damage, and personal liability coverage;
• must contain a separation of insureds and cross-liability clause;
• and must provide that it will not be cancelled or materially altered without at least sixty (60) days prior written notice to the City delivered to the Community Services Division.

All licensed rentals (alcohol) and youth skill/development ice rentals must provide their own Certificate of Insurance (COI) and are not able to opt-in to the User Group Program.

*User Group Program fees are not determined by the City and are outlined and provided to the City by the insurance company. Fees vary based on activity, and can be viewed in the attachment below.

Licensed rentals are those that have alcohol present, and are allowed in specific facilities only.

If you’d like to have alcohol at your event, you must obtain a “Special Occasion Permit (SOP)” from the Alcohol and Gaming Commissions of Ontario (AGCO), which can be done online through the AGCO website. Only obtain an SOP after you’ve received your tentative rental contract.

The City does not govern over SOP’s and any questions regarding the process or requirements should be directed to the AGCO.

Once you receive your SOP, it must be submitted to the Community Services Administration staff no later than 2 weeks before your rental. If not, the rental can move forward, but can not have alcohol at the facility.

Submit your SOP via email to parksandrecreation@sarnia.ca.

How to Pay: Payment can be made by logging in online. You can also pay with credit card over the phone or in-person with the Customer Service Department – you will need your contract number.

Payment Due Dates: Payment is due at the time of booking.

Failure to Pay: All payments must be made when due. Rental contracts will be cancelled if payment is not made with cancellation fees or interest being charged.

New booking requests will not be considered until all outstanding balances are paid in full.

Overdue accounts shall be subject to monthly interest as per the Fees
for Service By-law and forwarded to a Collections Agency.

Please review our Refund and Cancellation Policy in full before proceeding with any rentals.

Transferring or Moving Rentals: Transfers to another location, date, or time are allowed, but will be dependent on the availability of facilities and staff resources. Additional fees may apply.

The City has the right to transfer a rental due to necessary circumstances. In this case, no additional fees will be charged.

Cancellations and Refunds: Once a rental contract has been issued, it is in a tentative status but remains a valid contract. An administrative fee will apply to all refunds. Below cancellation timelines apply:

Received more than 14 days before the rental date – full refund or account credit, less the administrative fee.

Received less than 14 days before the rental date –account credit for the full amount, less the administrative fee.

Received same-day or afterwards –no credit or refund will be issued.

*Ice and Sports Field cancellations are subject to a 30-day cancellation policy for a refund.

After reviewing the Refund and Cancellation Policy, you can send your request to parksandrecreation@sarnia.ca. Please include your contract number, name of reservation holder, and details you are requesting to change.