Ontario to Provide $10 Million for South Bowmanville Recreation Centre Construction

The Ontario government announced on September 15, 2025, that it will provide $10 million for the construction of the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre in Clarington. According to the province, this funding is part of the $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF).

The investment is described by the Ministry of Sport as part of efforts to address growing demand for local sport and recreation facilities. The Ministry states that the funding will support the development of new spaces in South Bowmanville.

According to the Ministry, the recreation centre is expected to include a FIBA-standard double gymnasium, a 25-metre lap pool and therapeutic tank, a FIFA-size indoor turf field, five multi-purpose spaces, and an outdoor refrigerated skating trail more than 850 square metres in size. The Ministry reports that these features are intended to support over 50,000 users annually, with programming aimed at various age groups, including youth day camps and aquatic therapy sessions for seniors.

The Ministry of Sport states that the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund is an application-based program. According to the Ministry, the fund supports municipalities, Indigenous communities, and non-profit organizations through two streams: one for repairing and rehabilitating existing facilities and another for building new or transformative sport and recreation infrastructure.

Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster referred to the planned centre as a “modern multi-sport destination.” Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport, said the project aims to “create more opportunities for children, families and seniors to stay active.” Todd McCarthy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Durham, stated that the new centre would “create well-paying local jobs and enhance the local economy by providing Clarington with the facility to welcome local residents as well as provincial, national and international competitors.”