Swimmers in Newcastle will temporarily lose access to the aquatic facilities at Diane Hamre Recreation Complex in September as the Municipality of Clarington carries out scheduled maintenance and lighting upgrades.
The Diane Hamre pool closure will begin Friday, Sept. 4 and continue through Sunday, Sept. 13.
The aquatic facilities are scheduled to reopen for regular programs and drop-in activities on Monday, Sept. 14.
The rest of the Diane Hamre Recreation Complex, located at 1780 Rudell Road in Newcastle, will remain open during the work.
Which amenities will be closed?
The temporary closure affects all of the main aquatic amenities at the recreation complex.
Clarington says the following areas will be unavailable:
- main pool
- tot pool
- slide
- whirlpool
- sauna
- pool change rooms
The Diane Hamre Recreation Complex normally includes a 25-metre, six-lane leisure pool with shallow and deep sections, an amusement slide and a large tot pool. The facility also has a co-ed whirlpool and sauna.
Other areas of the recreation complex are not included in the aquatic closure.
Maintenance includes lighting upgrades and deep cleaning
Clarington says the shutdown will allow staff to complete regular preventative maintenance intended to extend the life of the pool and refresh the aquatic area.
Work will include painting, regrouting and deep cleaning, along with lighting upgrades.
The Municipality’s 2026 capital budget separately identifies $229,800 in reserve funding for pool-deck lighting upgrades at Diane Hamre Recreation Complex.
According to the budget, the lighting improvements are intended to bring illumination levels up to required minimum standards under the Ontario Building Code.
Regular facility maintenance can require temporary closures because work involving pool surfaces, grout, lighting and cleaning cannot always be completed safely while aquatic programs remain in operation.
Other Clarington pools available during closure
Residents who still want to swim during the Diane Hamre pool closure will have alternatives elsewhere in Clarington.
The Municipality says pools at Courtice Community Complex and Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre in Bowmanville will remain available for scheduled drop-in swimming.
Whirlpool and sauna access will also be available at those locations during their regularly scheduled hours.
Courtice Community Complex includes a 25-metre pool, tot pool, waterslide, splash area, whirlpool and sauna.
Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre also provides a 25-metre swimming pool along with whirlpool and sauna facilities.
Residents should check Clarington’s current drop-in schedule before travelling because individual swim and facility hours vary.
The Municipality says fall drop-in activities will become available to view beginning Sept. 1 for programming starting Sept. 8.
Pool expected to reopen Sept. 14
The aquatic amenities at Diane Hamre Recreation Complex are scheduled to return to normal operation on Monday, Sept. 14 following the 10-day maintenance period.
The Municipality has not indicated that the closure will affect the entire recreation complex.
That means residents using other parts of the Newcastle facility should still be able to access regularly scheduled activities outside the closed aquatic area.
Anyone planning to swim during the closure period should use one of Clarington’s alternate aquatic facilities and confirm the latest program schedule before arriving.
