Oakville, Ont.’s Centennial Pool has been granted a standing set accreditation from Ontario Creates, which means eligible productions using the location can now receive the 21.5% Ontario production services tax credit (OPSTC).

The 25-metre, six-lane pool, built in 1967, was decommissioned for public use in 2020. According to a release, it is the only dedicated water tank for filming in Ontario.

The accreditation was granted in December 2024. Previously, the pool was classified as a location, meaning its tax credits were capped at 5%.

Garrett Rodman, economic development and research officer for the Town of Oakville, tells Playback Daily that as the production calendar heats up for the year ahead, the town wants to see the pool — and its new tax credit eligibility — make a splash.

“We want to get it out there that if productions have a scene that does take place in the water, and they’re trying to figure out how this might actually be able to happen, we want them to know that there is a possibility of them coming to Oakville,” he says.

Productions that have used the locaion thus far include NBC series Brilliant Minds and Prime Video’s Reacher. Netflix has utilized the pool in the series FUBAR, as well as in the 2022 feature Slumberland, with Jason Momoa (pictured) and its upcoming miniseries Wayward (Sphere Media, Objective Fiction).

While the credit is a welcome development, time may be of the essence when it comes to using the location itself. Rodman explains that the entire block the pool is a part of, which includes a performing arts centre and library, is set for redevelopment.

“We don’t have a ‘for sure’ date of when it will be demolished, but we’re pretty sure we have access to this for a couple more years,” says Rodman. “In Ontario, almost in [all of] Canada, having this asset is incredibly unique and rare.”

The OPSTC accreditation comes as the Town of Oakville prepares to wrap up its three-year Film Pilot Project, which concludes at the end of 2025.

“We will be going to [the town] council in the summer to show our findings and our results, as well as our recommendations to make the film office permanent,” says Rodman. “We’re seeing a good momentum of production looking for that sort of small town vibe, and they can easily pull talent from Hamilton and Toronto as well.”

Image courtesy of Netflix