Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2023
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On Thursday, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic met with the team at the Breithaupt Centre to acknowledge the $384,000 Community Building Fund Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to replace the roof membrane and HVAC units at the centre. The project was completed in September 2022 and ensures that the Breithaupt Centre can continue to offer a range of sports, and senior and aquatics programming to the downtown core.  

“This community building grant from the Government of Ontario via the Ontario Trillium Foundation is a welcomed community investment,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “The Breithaupt Centre offers programming for all ages and abilities, from toddlers learning to swim to older adults staying active in their community. This grant has allowed us to continue providing these valued services to community members.”  

The project was a roof membrane and insulation replacement for 1,400 sq. ft. of roof and air ducts. It also included the replacement of rooftop HVAC units. The roof membrane was in need of immediate replacement to avoid costly leak repair work, and the possible loss of programming was the centre to shut down. The Breithaupt Centre has a large amount of HVAC units found on the roof that were removed, stored and then re-installed.  

"The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated,” said Mayor Vrbanovic. “The centre offers a variety of popular community programs, with our swimming classes alone serving more than 40,000 people in the community a year. This grant has allowed us to ensure that this critical community facility can continue to operate. We also want to congratulate the Ontario Trillium Foundation on 40 years of granting and building healthy and vibrant communities across the province.” 

The Breithaupt Centre is home to a pool, gym, snack bar and more. It offers programming for children such as dance classes, sport and preschool programs. For adults it provides fitness and sport programs, art classes, yoga sessions and more. 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more. 

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For more information, contact: 

Shawn Falcao    
Manager, Corporate Communications    
City of Kitchener 
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca