The new Ajax fairgrounds are soon going to be available for public booking and use. Council has green lit the finalization of the application process of the fairgrounds to enable venue bookings for 2026.
Ajax township is estimating $60,000 will be generated annually from the base fees and applications alone.
The base fees for the fairgrounds range from $5,000 for a 5,000 person capacity event to $13,500 for a 10,000-20,000 persons event.
Additional costs may be required for most special events at the fairgrounds for services such as off-duty police officers, enhanced security, traffic control measures, shuttle buses, waste management and disposal as well as stage inspections.
The Town of Ajax has estimated plans for 6-8 events in the 2026 season for the fairgrounds. To ensure the successful operation of an event at the fairgrounds, council has directed staff to make sure that appropriate resources are available and that the application system is clear for anyone to follow.
For the 2026 season, 6-8 events will be accommodated between May 23 and September 27. There are limitations such as existing permits issues to Audley Hall Recreation Center as well as baseball and softball tournaments. Those pre-planned events prevent staff from supporting additional events.
To support the fairgrounds special event process, staff are proposing the introduction of an event guide to assist permit holders through the planning stages. This guide includes essential information on accessibility, insurance, police presence, security measures, waste management, traffic control, road closures, emergency preparedness, health department regulations, and noise permits. This guide will be available on the Town of Ajax’s website.
8,000 Attend Soft Opening
The construction of the Ajax Fairgrounds was completed in August, creating a dedicated venue with a maximum of 20,000 attendees. This facility is designed to host a variety of events, festivals, and concerts, significantly enhancing the Ajax’s cultural offerings.
In September, the town hosted a soft opening of the fairgrounds to test operations, build momentum and gather feedback before permitting the venue to external groups. The soft opening was attended by 8,000 people.
The availability of this space signals a strategic effort by Ajax to increase tourism and local economic activity by attracting diverse events. Ajax hopes to position itself as a regional hub for community, cultural and recreational gatherings. The end goal is to benefit local businesses and increase community engagement.