Oakville Film secures new Standing Set Accreditation for Centennial Pool

Productions now eligible for 21.5 per cent provincial tax credit for location

Oakville’s decommissioned Centennial Pool has been transformed into a unique filming facility and recently achieved a Standing Set Accreditation from the provincial government’s film commission, Ontario Creates.

The new accreditation means eligible productions using Centennial Pool as a filming location can now receive the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit (OPSTC) at 21.5 per cent of qualifying expenses. This tax credit is jointly administered by Ontario Creates and the Canada Revenue Agency. The pool’s previous classification as a “location” capped filming tax credits at five per cent. 

Centennial Pool is currently Ontario’s only dedicated water tank for filming, having undergone significant enhancements by production companies renting the facility to meet industry needs. Economic Development’s Oakville Film unit was able to successfully acquire the new accreditation for the pool in late fall 2024, during the second year of a three-year Film Pilot Project.

The increased tax credit incentive for eligible filming productions makes the Town of Oakville a more attractive filming location to help encourage production companies to scope out additional existing locations throughout the town for projects.

Be a part of future filming productions

Residential and business property owners can join the Ontario Locations Library – a free resource that connects industry location scouts with available filming spaces. Productions look for a wide variety of locations, such as stately homes, workshops, local shops, industrial spaces and unique properties. The Town of Oakville has already listed properties with the provincial library, in addition to Centennial Pool, such as Town Hall and the 110-acre former Fogolars Country Club property. 

Residents and businesses interested in listing their properties can visit the Filming in Oakville web page or contact the Oakville Film Office at film.liaison@oakville.ca. 

As the three-year Film Pilot Project wraps up in 2025, the Oakville Film Office will present its findings to Town Council later this year. For updates, follow @InvestOakville on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.

Quote

“Having a previous career in film and TV, I have seen firsthand the positive impact this industry has on a community. Centennial Pool’s new accreditation strengthens Oakville’s reputation as a premier filming destination. Thanks to our Film Office staff for putting Oakville on the Hollywood North map.”

– Mayor Rob Burton

Background

• In 2023, the Town of Oakville launched a Council-approved three-year Film Pilot Project to explore the economic and cultural benefits of the filming industry through the dedicated Oakville Film Office, operated by Economic Development.
• Between 2023 and 2024, Oakville hosted 73 filming productions of TV series, music videos, commercials, student films and more. Four productions used Centennial Pool as a location, including Brilliant Minds (2023) and Wayward, Fubar, and Reacher (2024).
• Constructed in 1967, the Centennial Pool (120 Navy St.) was officially decommissioned for public use by the Town of Oakville in 2020. Since then, it has periodically been rented out as a filming location by various production companies. 
• Ontario Creates is the provincial government agency supporting economic development and collaboration in the province’s creative industries, including film, TV, music, publishing, and digital media. Through tax credits, funding programs, and partnerships, Ontario Creates helps productions access resources, foster innovation, and helps Ontario compete globally.