Free swims for south Oshawa residents when pool opens after nearly two year closure

The long-awaited re-opening of the South Oshawa Community Centre Pool is expected to happen in the next few weeks, with pool users being rewarded for their patience with free leisure swims for the rest of 2026.

The gesture is subject to approval at Monday’s council meeting but is expected to pass, with pool users without a place to swim in the city’s south end since September 2024.

The free swims are a way to recognize both the “significance” of the pool to south Oshawa residents and the impacts the repair work have had on the local community, the motion on Monday’s agenda read.

“We remain committed to completing the work safely, responsibly, and with urgency so that the community and facility users can once again enjoy the pool facilities.”

“Deficiencies” were first discovered in the fall of 2024, but “no one anticipated the extent of the work that would be required,” the statement 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 the required upgrades to the building’s foundation drainage system is essentially complete and the remaining exterior work is limited to the southwest corner.
• Fire Suppression System – Work continues on the installation of the access structure for the fire suppression system, including associated electrical and mechanical components. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances outside of the city’s control, delays have occurred with the steel work required for this structure. These delays directly affect the ability to advance work on the pool infrastructure.

Oshawa Council has made the South Oshawa Community Centre Pool reconstruction a “priority” and has committed more than $8 million toward the project.

“We know how important this facility is to you, and we want to acknowledge the growing frustration surrounding the length of time this project is taking. City staff, contracted crews, and members of council – including both Ward 5 city councillors – share that frustration and want the pool reopened.”

Ward 5 Councillor Brian Nicholson said most major repair work has been completed on the project, including ceiling work, water system and drainage as fully done. “We are now working on the tile work and cosmetic cleaning to allow for final completion and opening.”

Nicholson said the pool is expected to be open to the public by early summer.

“No one wants this project completed more than I do and we are working to complete it as soon as possible.”

The free leisure swims will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with eligibility criteria to be established for Oshawa residents to ensure fair and equitable access.