City of Kitchener honours major donation with naming of Cowan Recreation Centre

Kitchener, ON - The City of Kitchener marked a major milestone today in the development of its new indoor recreation complex - a space designed to serve more than half a million visitors annually with inclusive, year-round programming. At a special event held on-site, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, members of council, representatives from the Cowan Foundation and local sport affiliates unveiled the facility’s new name: the Cowan Recreation Centre.

The naming recognizes a generous $2.5-million donation from the Cowan Foundation - one of the most significant private contributions to recreation in the city’s history. The donation will be placed in a dedicated reserve fund to support future enhancements to Kitchener’s newest indoor recreation complex, ensuring the facility remains innovative, inclusive and responsive to community needs.

“We are deeply grateful to the Cowan Foundation for their extraordinary generosity,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Their donation is helping us bring to life a facility that will serve our diverse community for generations through inclusive, year-round programming. With its world-class amenities, the Cowan Recreation Centre will also position Kitchener as a destination for major tournaments and sport tourism, welcoming visitors from across the country and beyond.”

“We are proud to support a project that aligns so closely with our mission, to enhance the well-being of communities and all their citizens,” said Mary D’Alton, Executive Director of The Cowan Foundation. “This fully accessible facility will foster connection, activity and opportunity for young and old alike regardless of their socio-economic status.”

Located at 1955 Fisher Hallman Rd., the Cowan Recreation Centre will span 222,000 square feet and feature a quad gymnasium, aquatic centre with two pools, cricket practice nets, multipurpose rooms, and a FIFA-sized indoor turf fieldhouse - now officially named the Cowan Fieldhouse.

Once the facility opens in late 2026, close to 30 local sport organizations - including soccer, volleyball, aquatics, basketball, cricket, paddle sports and others - will make use of the space to host and expand their programming. This increased capacity will help reduce or eliminate waitlists and improve youth access to sport across the region. For example, the KW Predators Volleyball Club anticipates accommodating up to 80 additional athletes for every 90 to 120 minutes of court time, while Kitchener TFC expects to eliminate its indoor waitlist, opening up opportunities for more than 500 new players. The City also expects to create 2,100 new swim lesson spaces, helping more children learn essential water safety skills and build confidence in the pool.

“This significant financial contribution from the Cowan Foundation is going to have a real and lasting impact on youth in our community,” added Mayor Vrbanovic. “It’s helping us create and maintain a space where young people can come together to develop new skills, build friendships, and stay active through sport and physical activity. This facility will be a launchpad for opportunity, inclusion and lifelong wellness.”

The Cowan Recreation Centre will also be Kitchener’s first net-zero carbon recreation building and one of the most accessible facilities in the region. It stands as a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can build healthier, more connected and resilient communities.

For more information: 
Kristen Nyenhuis 
Communications and Marketing Associate 
City of Kitchener 
media@kitchener.ca