Newmarket launches new platform to book facility rentals

Newmarkettoday.ca
Dec. 3, 2021

Newmarket is modernizing its facility rentals with a new booking platform partnership launching Dec. 1

The town is introducing CatchCorner, a new app to allow people to book rinks, halls and meeting spaces online. The technology from a Toronto-based startup of the same name will allow people to book, sign waivers and pay online in an automated process.

Mayor John Taylor said as the first North-American municipality to sign on to the technology, it is a testament to the town’s commitment to efficient services.

“Access and availability of recreational spaces is part of what makes Newmarket a great place to be,” Taylor said.

The town will begin by offering only ice rinks to start through the app, located at the Magna Centre and Ray Twinney Recreation Complex. But it plans to expand the service over time to offer halls, meeting spaces and outdoor recreation locations through the all-in-one tool.

The app first launched in 2019, before partnering with Sports Illustrated last May. It has set up in cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Chicago and Winnipeg, including hundreds of facilities listed for rental.

Users have the option to either download the app or navigate to the town’s website for rentals. The platform will walk people through the booking process, with options to split payments with another person, availability alert notifications and more.

“The new platform gives residents more opportunities to take advantage of the space in their own community. For example, players can now easily organize last-minute pickup games, parents can plan out-of-the-box skating birthdays, or teams can book a pad for extra practice,” the town said in a press release.

The town will pay just under $17,000 annually to CatchCorner. The town said the investment will be worthwhile, helping book time slots that may have previously gone unused to maximize revenue generation.

“This is an exciting day for Newmarket sport user groups and residents that book recreation and culture facilities,” chief administrative officer Ian McDougall said. “This platform and our new approach to rentals aligns innovation with timely and focused customer service. It makes renting recreational spaces easier and will also ensure facilities are being used to their full potential.”

Residents can now use CatchCorner to book an ice pad in town, which start at $152 per hour plus insurance costs.

The town was originally slated to launch the initiative in the spring, but that launch was delayed,

More information on CatchCorner is available at newmarket.ca/rentals, including a video demonstration. You can download the app on Google Play or the App Store.