Cowan Recreation Centre at RBJ Schlegel Park to feature Canada's first multi-sport glass floor

Innovative technology will expand recreation opportunities, improve accessibility, and attract tournaments and events to Kitchener 

 Kitchener, ON – Residents visiting the Cowan Recreation Centre at RBJ Schlegel Park will soon have access to a recreation experience unlike any other in Canada. Available for use starting in early 2027, the Centre’s new quad gymnasium will feature Canada's first multi-sport glass floor, making it home to one of the largest installations of its kind in the world. 

 The innovative multi-sport surface will provide more opportunities for recreation, sport, tournaments and community events while giving residents access to the same playing surface used for decades at sport venues and international competitions globally.  

"Great community spaces should evolve alongside the people who use them," said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. "The multi-sport glass floor reflects the kind of future we're building in Kitchener, one that embraces innovation while creating more diverse opportunities for residents to compete, connect and belong close to home. This floor gives the community access to a unique recreation experience typically found at premier sport venues and, as the first installation of its kind in Canada, will help create better recreational and competitive sport experiences while also attracting new events and visitors that support local businesses and strengthen Kitchener's economy." 

 The multi-sport glass floor will support a wide variety of sports including pickleball, basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, futsal, badminton, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair pickleball. 

Starting November 14, when the Cowan Recreation Centre officially opens, visitors will have a unique opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the technology that will be located beneath the multi-sport glass panels. Installation of the floor is expected to be complete early in the new year. 

Canada’s first multi-sport glass floor 

While this flooring system, designed and installed by ASB GlassFloor, is the first of its kind in Canada, it is used in the United States and across Europe, including venues in Germany, Greece, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. 

Better player experience 

The flooring system uses LED lighting located under glass floor panels to display digital sport lines directly onto the playing surface. Unlike traditional gymnasium floors that rely on multiple permanently painted or taped lines, the sport lines on this floor can be quickly and easily reconfigured at the touch of a button depending on which sport is being played. Only the lines required for the sport being played are displayed at any time, reducing visual clutter and creating a cleaner environment that can be easier for participants to navigate. Importantly, flexible sport configurations also mean more support for accessible and inclusive play – transitioning from wheelchair basketball to wheelchair pickleball and back to traditional volleyball is easy and safe.