The Town of Ajax, named after Royal Navy cruiser HMS Ajax from the Second World War, is a town celebrated for its lakeside vistas and active community. A place to live, work, play and grow, Ajax has a lot to offer house-seekers on the hunt for a place to invest and call home.
Ajax, by the numbers
- Population: per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Ajax had a population of 126,666
- Location: a town in Durham Region in Southern Ontario, Canada, Ajax is located in the eastern part of the Greater Toronto Area. The town sits approximately 25 kilometers east of Toronto and is bordered by the City of Pickering to the west and the Town of Whitby to the east
- Size: a total land area of 67.07 km2 and an elevation of 300 ft
Staying active and engaged in Ajax
Image Credit: Region of Durham
The town of Ajax is one of lush green backdrops and waterside vistas. So it’s not surprising that greenspace, recreational offerings, sports and community events play such an integral role in the fabric of this community.
Greenspace
Ajax boasts being “a proud Great Lakes community, boasting an environment-first philosophy”, taking particular pride in their “waterfront gem” - the 7km of publicly owned and managed lakeside land. The town also features 400 hectares of playgrounds, parks, conservation areas, green space and trails.
One popular “greenspace” option in Ajax is the 100km trail system that runs through natural landscapes along connected areas like Millers Creek, Carruthers Creek and Lake Ontario. This safe and scenic trail can be mapped out via Ajax’s official trail guide here.
There are 93 parks listed under Ajax’s official park guide, and through this link you’ll be able to filter out what local park meets your needs and planned activities. Many of these park grounds offer a wide array of facilities and grounds, including picnic areas, athletic fields and playgrounds.
Recreation
With sprawling lush grounds, the Town of Ajax is the perfect setting for golf. The town has four spectacular courses to choose from:
Summer camp options are aplenty in Ajax, with programs available in the areas of sports, performing arts, nature & exploration, science, multimedia, arts, leadership & more. You can find an up-to-date listing of summer camp programs open for registration here. You can also have a look at the full roster of seasonal activities available for kids, families, individuals and senior residents via the Play and Discover page.
There are several excellent playground locations in Ajax, many of which also offer free and supervised drop-in programs through the summer months. Parents and caregivers can obtain more information on these and other local playground offerings via this contact: 905-619-2529, ext. 7255 or 7727.
Check out this interactive map of playground sites in Ajax, updated for 2022.
Sports
There are 2 official provincially-sanctioned sports teams currently based in Ajax:
- Durham West Junior Lightning - a Canadian Junior women's ice hockey team; the Lightning are members of the Provincial Women's Hockey League of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association
- Ajax Wanderers R.U.F.C. - a rugby union club; the Senior men's team currently runs two teams with the top XV squad competing in the Ontario Marshall Provincial division
The Yellow Pages has an excellent comprehensive listing of sports clubs located in Ajax.
RelocateCanada is another excellent resource for local sports club listings.
Fitness in Ajax, be it through sports or other forms of recreation, is accessible to all via the many outdoor and indoor facilities servicing the local community. The three primary recreation centres situated in Ajax are:
- McLean Community Centre - 95 Magill Drive
Fitness & Health Centre - Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. & Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (subject to change)
- Ajax Community Centre - 75 Centennial Rd.
Fitness & Health Centre - Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. & Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (subject to change)
- Audley Recreation Centre - 1955 Audley Rd. North
Core Performance Zone - Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. & Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (subject to change)
Skating, swimming, fitness programs, guest memberships and more are available via these recreation centres.
For information on local recreation centres, you can check the official town website or call 905-683-4550.
Community events
Community events in Ajax are varied and cater to residents of all ages and interests. You’ll find events like walking tours, business networking opportunities, music festivals, community “movie nights”, events for senior residents, and so much more. This is truly a community rooted in staying active, engaged and dialed in!
Stay in the loop on upcoming events and festivals in Ajax via their official community calendar.
You can get more information via the Town of Ajax’s official community resource page.
Schools, transportation and healthcare in Ajax
The Durham District School Board is responsible for public schooling in this community - you can find a comprehensive listing of all schools falling under this jurisdiction here. You can also reach the DDSB via 905-666-5500.
OurKids.net is an excellent resource for private school offerings in Ajax, Ontario. Some of the top-rated private schools in this community include:
- Blaisdale Montessori School - NS to 8 coed, one of 7 campuses in Pickering, Ajax, Oshawa and Bowmanville
- Crawford Adventist Academy - JK to 12 coed and boasts a 98% acceptance rate to the University of their first choice for their graduates
- Montessori Learning Centre of Pickering - NS to 9 coed, non denominational, inclusive school
- Ècole Montessori - NS to 6 coed, French private school fostering a biligual education
For parents curious about private school options, there is an annual Private School Expo event held in September and October. You can find more information about this event, including ticket details here.
Transportation
Transportation in Ajax includes the following local initiatives:
- Get Ajax Moving - this local initiative endorsed by local council aims to encourage residents to engage in sustainable methods of transportation, such as walking, biking or transit, in a bid to provide some relief of local traffic congestion and foster healthier lifestyles amongst its residents
- Active and Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) is a program dedicated to getting Ajax students active via walking or biking to school
- Let’s Carpool Ajax - this is a program facilitating safe commuting via carpooling
- Active Transportation Initiatives
- The Town of Ajax is serviced by Durham Regional Transit and GO Transit Durham Regional Transit tickets and passes are available for sale at Town Hall, Ajax Community Center, McLeans Community Centre, Audley Recreation Center and Town Libraries. Presto cards are available at the Ajax GO station.
For more information on Durham Region Transit bus schedules including the PULSE high frequency bus route, visit the DRT website.
Healthcare
The wellbeing and good health of residents is paramount in Ajax, with a number of health care facilities in the immediate and surrounding Durham location.
You can find a listing of local hospitals via the official Region of Durham Health and Wellness page.
Located in nearby Whitby, you’ll find Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, a top-tier mental health facility catering to individuals with complex mental health issues and mental disabilities.
For a comprehensive listing of Durham’s extensive healthcare facilities, including oral/dental clinics, immunization clinics, mental health facilities and more, please access the general Health and Wellness page.
You can access the Durham Region Public Health Events Calendar here.
Doing business in Ajax
Image Credit: Town of Ajax
Ajax offers employers a local labour force of approximately 91,480 people.
The Town of Ajax offers a number of support options and resources for local businesses, including:
- Consultations
- Connections
- Networking
- Engagement
- Funding
- Hiring
You can also access this link for active listings of land and buildings designated for business and commercial use currently for sale in Ajax.
Currently job hunting? The Town of Ajax keeps an up-to-date listing of local job listings here. The Durham Workforce Authority is another great resource for job listings and career guidance within the community and Durham Region.
Looking to get involved? You can check out some local volunteer opportunities here.
You can get more information about local business support and services by contacting the Town of Ajax at 905-683-4550.
What sets Ajax apart?
The vibrant Town of Ajax is unique for its balance. Offering residents the serenity and charm of waterfront living with all the conveniences and access of an urban metropolis, this diverse and thriving community goes above and beyond to toggle this line without compromising on the significant contributions from either end.
Conclusion
Curious to know more about the thriving community of Ajax?
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LOCAL OFFICE
Ajax Office
335 Bayly Street West
Ajax, Ontario, L1S 6M2
Contact information
Office: (905) 427-6522
Fax: (905) 427-6524
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