Teens can ride the buses, swim for free again this summer in Mississauga

Kids and teens in Mississauga can once again access free bus rides, swimming sessions and workouts with the return of a popular summer program.

From June 27 through Sept. 1, youths ages 12 to 16 can ride MiWay buses, swim at City of Mississauga indoor and outdoor pools, and use city fitness centres for free with the return of the Sauga Summer Pass program. Free use of the fitness centres is limited to youths ages 14 to 16.

Prior to last year, the annual program concluded at the end of August and didn’t cover the Labour Day weekend. City officials expanded the program last year to include the entire holiday weekend.

Labour Day this year falls on Sept. 1.

City officials encourage those interested in the program to fill out an application form early as registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Prior to 2022, the Sauga Summer Pass was known as the Freedom Pass.

Officials say some 50,000 youths in Mississauga have taken advantage of the summer pass since its inception in 2014.

According to a staff report, the most popular facilities in summer 2023 for both fun swim and fitness access were Meadowvale Community Centre (2,467 swim and 3,057 fitness scans), River Grove Community Centre (1,539 swim scans and 2,200 fitness scans) and Malton Community Centre (1,315 swim scans and 989 fitness scans).