Councillor ‘frustrated’ by more delays in south Oshawa pool repairs

Oshawa Councillor Brian Nicholson said his “greatest frustration” of the current term of council in the city’s south side is the length of time it is taking to complete the repairs and massive renovation of the South Oshawa Community Centre pool.

“Deficiencies” in the foundation – including a sinkhole – were first discovered in the fall of 2024, but “no one anticipated the extent of the work that would be required,” he said, with “significant challenges” revealed that were not apparent at the outset of the project.

Further investigation found additional areas of concern requiring the project scope to expand beyond initial estimates:

• Exterior Work – Work supporting required upgrades to the building’s foundation drainage system
• Fire Suppression System – Crews have had to install the access structure for the fire suppression system, including associated electrical and mechanical components. Due to unforeseen circumstances outside of the city’s control, delays occurred with the steel work required for this structure – directly affecting the ability to advance work on the pool infrastructure

Much of the work was completed in the spring but four months later residents of south Oshawa are still wondering when their pool will be re-opened.

Oshawa Councillor Brian Nicholson

“When the sink hole was discovered, no one expected it to take this long,” Nicholson said, adding that he “appreciated” that council stepped up and allocated more than $8 million to make the repairs. “We know how important this facility is to the residents of southern Oshawa, and especially those in ward 5. “

“It is extremely frustrating to me as I led the organizing team to have the community centre and pool built in the first place, and that success was a result of over a decade of community pressure to have our own indoor pool in south Oshawa.”

Promises were made last month as to the anticipated opening and Nicholson acknowledged that “everyone is unhappy with the long time it is taking” and shares the community’s frustration.

“We all want our pool open as quickly as possible. It is easy to offer criticisms or point fingers, but that is not going to move us one day closer to reopening.”

Nicholson said he and fellow south Oshawa councillor John Gray are meeting with staff at the site this week to go over the status of the repairs and “hopefully secure a clearer timeline on when the facility will reopen.”

Council announced last month that pool users will be rewarded for their patience with free leisure swims for the rest of 2026.

“We all want the pool reopened, especially as summer heats up, and I appreciate the patience that residents have shown on this issue,” Nicholson said. “No one will be happier when the pool is reopened than the residents of southern Oshawa.”