South Bowmanville Rec Centre receives $10M grant — Clarington’s largest community project yet

Clarington, Ontario – Today, Ontario’s Ministry of Sport announced a $10 million contribution to the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF). Phase 1 opens in 2026, answering Clarington’s growing need for modern, accessible spaces that inspire active living and lifelong wellness.

The South Bowmanville Recreation Centre will be a vibrant hub for neighbours united by a love of sport, fitness, and community connection, featuring dynamic spaces for soccer, swimming, skating, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and other activities. Flexible spaces will host group workouts, children’s programming, and shared recreation. In Phase 2, a new Aquatics Centre will further expand access to water safety education and aquatic wellness for all ages.

“This modern multi-sport destination is designed to welcome everyone, from first-timers finding their groove to our homegrown athletes chasing greatness. Picture epic weekend tournaments, kids’ first swim lessons, early morning yoga, and family skates along Durham Region’s first outdoor refrigerated trail, one of the longest in Ontario. With so much more to experience, this is where generations of awesome memories will be made,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster. “The South Bowmanville Recreation Centre is a shining example of what’s possible when we dream big and plan smart. Thank you to the Province for believing in our vision and investing in a healthy, happy, and growing Clarington.”

Celebrating a pivotal $10 million investment in the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre, Mayor Adrian Foster is joined by Councillor Ward 4 Margaret Zwart, Councillor Ward 1 Sami Elhajjeh, Regional Councillor Wards 1 and 2 Granville Anderson, Regional Councillor Wards 3 and 4 Willie Woo along with Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport; Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham; John Henry, Regional Chair; and Michael Frogley, former Paralympic athlete, coach, and mentor.

Residents can look forward to a future filled with fun, fitness, and hometown pride, with exciting new features that include:

• A FIFA-sized multi-sport dome with a three-lane indoor walking track—four times larger than the former Bowmanville Indoor Soccer facility
• Two FIBA-sized, fully accessible courts with perimeter bench seating, adaptable for net sports such as basketball, pickleball, tennis, and volleyball—twice the size of the gym at Diane Hamre Recreation Complex
• Durham Region’s first outdoor refrigerated skating trail, designed for year-round use like summer markets—featuring a modified figure-eight layout that stretches 170 metres and spans over 850 square metres, surpassing Toronto’s Barbara Ann Scott Trail and covering more ground than the Bentway Skating Trail
• In Phase 2, a new Aquatics Centre will introduce Clarington’s first warm-water therapeutic pool alongside a six-lane, 25-metre lap pool
• Multi-purpose rooms to support everything from strength training and Pilates to day camps and children’s programs
• The existing lacrosse bowl will remain on-site

“Our government is proud to support the construction of the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre with a major investment of $10 million from our Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “This is about more than just infrastructure – it’s about protecting local jobs, boosting the economy, and creating more opportunities for children, seniors and families to stay active in the community.”

The Municipality of Clarington is actively pursuing valuable external funding opportunities, reducing dependency on the property tax base while supporting the delivery of meaningful municipal services. Clarington thanks Ontario’s Ministry of Sport for supporting the development of this facility that will enrich the lives of residents for years to come.

“Under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford and Minister Lumsden, our government is committed to investing in transformative projects in local communities like Clarington, which will support opportunities for tourism, sport hosting, and elevate our community’s profile. Through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, the new South Bowmanville Recreation Centre will create well-paying local jobs and enhance the local economy by providing Clarington with the facility to welcome residents as well as provincial, national, and international competitors to participate and enjoy the amenities of this new state-of-the-art complex," said Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham.

Construction of the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre began in May 2025. Residents can keep up with the action by following @ClaringtonConnected on social media and subscribing to www.clarington.net/SouthBowmanvilleRec for behind-the-scenes project updates.

Construction is officially underway on Clarington’s most ambitious recreational project yet, with Phase 1 opening in 2026.

Discover what’s coming to your neighbourhood — a modern, multi-sport destination designed for active living, wellness, and inclusive recreation.

Clarington’s new Aquatics Centre will provide inclusive access to therapeutic swimming and lap training, supporting every age and ability – coming in Phase 2.

Set to be Durham Region’s first outdoor refrigerated skating trail, this modified figure-eight layout delivers a one-of-a-kind experience — from cozy winter glides to vibrant summer markets.

Twice the size of Diane Hamre Recreation Complex’s gym, the two FIBA-sized courts are adaptable for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and other popular net sports.

This FIFA-sized multi-sport dome quadruples indoor turf space in Bowmanville, offering a year-round home for soccer, walking, and more.

These flexible spaces will host a wide range of programs, including fitness, wellness classes, kids’ activities, and seasonal camps for all ages.

Media inquiries:
Municipality of Clarington
Sarah Raso, Communications Officer
905-260-3495 | sraso@clarington.net