Long delayed new outdoor pool in Oshawa set to open

Construction delays, rising costs and a wait of nearly seven years between swims will (hopefully) be just water off a duck’s back when the rebuilt Rotary Park pool finally opens to the public July 22 for two free community swims.

Oshawa residents enjoyed summer swims at Rotary Pool for nearly a century until structural issues forced its closure in 2019. Two years later the pool was the overwhelming first choice (80 per cent) for rebirth in a 2021 survey, with the cost at the time for a new leisure pool, major splash pad and playground amenities about $8 million.

Despite rising costs due to supply chain issues coming out of the pandemic that drove the price up to nearly $19 million by late 2023, council chose the redevelopment of the park as the city’s centennial year Legacy Project and awarded the contract to Maystar General Contractors in early 2024 to create a new park at Gibb and Centre Street, just south of downtown.

Construction began in the spring in 2024 and by that summer the city was declaring the nearly $25 million project on schedule, with the summer of 2025 targeted for opening day.

That date soon became “later in 2025,” followed by an undeclared date in 2026 before council finally narrowed it down to the summer of ’26, prompting Oshawa councillors Brian Nicholson and Tito-Dante Marimpietri to call on council to waive swimming fees for Oshawa residents on a first-come, first-served basis for the first full year of operation of the pool, with eligibility drafted to ensure “fair and equitable access.”

“The residents have been waiting a long time for the replacement of Rotary Pool with a new facility and council needs to reward that patience,” said Nicholson last year. “Providing free swimming at the Rotary Pool once it opens is recognition of their patience and support.”

Oshawa Councillor Brian Nicholson

Opening day is now just five days away and Nicholson said he is “beyond thrilled” to finally see the pool finally open, and hoping residents are able to make use of the promised free swimming at the outdoor facility for as long as possible.

While the facility is ready to welcome visitors, some minor finishing touches by the contractor are still underway.

The City of Oshawa is inviting residents to kick-off the completion of the outdoor pool at Rotary Park on Wednesday with two free swims from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Admission is available on a first-come, first-served basis and capacity limits will be followed.

Oshawa residents can enjoy free leisure swims all summer long with a free Rotary Park Pool season pass that allows them to attend drop-in leisure swims during scheduled times by checking in and scanning your pass card as well as register for free swimming lessons.

Visit oshawa.ca/RotaryPool to register.

The rebuilt Rotary Park and Rotary Pool has transformed the site into a modern recreational hub with a new outdoor pool featuring four swimming lanes, a zero-entry area and a toddler pool. The project will also include a destination playground, a splash pad, enhanced pathways, a redesigned parking lot and other site amenities.