Clarington celebrates 50 years of fun at Darlington Sports Centre

Clarington, ON – On Monday, February 17, Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster and Members of Council marked the 50^th Anniversary of the Darlington Sports Centre in Hampton with an afternoon of Family Day activities, bringing the community together to honour generations of sports memories and create new ones.

“We’ve had fifty years of goals, sweat, and cheers at the Darlington Sports Centre! This place isn’t just a building; it’s the heart of Hampton. It’s where young kids have grown, athletes have trained, and friendships have flourished,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster. “Thank you to the Hampton Community Association, the Clarington Flames, and our staff for their dedication to this facility and for making the anniversary celebration a success.”

To kick off the event and inspire younger fans, members of the Clarington Flames Girls U13 hockey team showed off their impressive stick and puck skills. With regular practices at DSC, the arena symbolizes a place where their love for hockey grows and their bonds with their community deepen, reflecting the legacy of teams who also played at the arena in years past.

Mayor Foster and Council Members then joined the team on the ice to commemorate the occasion and reflect on the history of the facility, which first opened on February 8, 1975. Families were invited to join in the fun with a free public skate.

Mayor Adrian Foster, Regional Councillor Willie Woo, Councillor Margaret Zwart, Regional Councillor Granville Anderson and Councillor Sami Elhajjeh join members of the Clarington Flames U13 Girls Black hockey team on the ice at Darlington Sports Centre.

The team was presented with Clarington’s Most Valuable Player mini-sticks as the next generation of sports stars.

Families skated together and took part in an afternoon filled with fun.

With more fun in the warming area, kids enjoyed face painting, a colouring station, and cookies with hot chocolate. The next generation of sports stars—Clarington’s Most Valuable Players—spun the prize wheel and were thrilled to win mini-sticks, along with other fun giveaways.

A special thanks to the Hampton Community Association for their help with the warm beverages.

After a half century, Darlington Sports Centre is proud to represent a community gathering space where games are won and lost, but the bonds of teamwork and friendship last a lifetime. Thank you to the community members who came out to celebrate with us.

Historic records of the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening Darlington Sports Centre on February 8, 1975, courtesy of the Clarington Library, Museums and Archives.

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