Kitchener and Government of Canada partner to expand indoor recreation complex with multi-use gym

Kitchener, Ontario – The City of Kitchener is taking a major step forward in enhancing local recreation opportunities with the addition of a multi-use gymnasium to its upcoming indoor recreation complex.

Today, the City of Kitchener learned it is receiving $2 million for this gymnasium project through the Government of Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund. This funding will support the construction of the new 33,800-square-foot gymnasium, which will increase access to a variety of sports and physical activities in Kitchener.

The gymnasium will feature four multipurpose courts with 40-foot ceilings and competition-level flooring, designed to accommodate high-performance sports such as volleyball and basketball. This top-tier facility will not only serve local athletes and recreation users but also position Kitchener as a destination for provincial and national tournaments, driving economic benefits by attracting visitors and generating revenue for local businesses.

“The addition of a gymnasium to the Kitchener indoor recreation complex solidifies its status as a game-changer for our city, making it a true investment in our community’s well-being and future,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “This expansion funding will help create a gymnasium space where residents of all ages can stay active, connect with others, and engage in programs that promote healthy living. It also positions Kitchener as a top destination for competitive sports, helping to attract major events that will energize our city and support local businesses.”

The Kitchener indoor recreation complex is being supported by significant investments from all levels of government. The Government of Canada has previously committed $9.7 million through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. With today’s funding announcement, the total federal contribution to date is $11.7 million.

“We are building Kitchener together, helping to create vibrant community spaces and supporting a thriving economy,” said Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, Tim Louis. “This gymnasium project and the overall Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex will be vital to one of the fastest-growing communities in the country.”

“Through important infrastructure investments like this, we’re creating more spaces for a healthy community and jobs for a healthy economy,” said Member of Parliament for Kitchener South-Hespeler, Valerie Bradford.

Thanks to Kitchener’s innovative and collaborative construction model known as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), the Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex is expected to open in summer 2026.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACTS

Bethany Rowland 
Director, Corporate Communications & Marketing  
City of Kitchener  
bethany.rowland@kitchener.ca  

Nasreen
Strategic Communications Officer
Office of the Mayor and Council
City of Kitchener
Nasreen@kitchener.ca

About the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program

In 2020, the Government of Canada announced up to $1.5 billion in federal funding over five years to establish the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program.

On April 16, 2024, the Government of Canada released Budget 2024 which provided a $500 million top-up and extended the program until March 2029.

The GICB Program supports the first pillar of the Strengthened Climate Plan by improving the places Canadians live and gather by cutting pollution (e.g. reducing GHG emissions, increasing energy efficiency, building resiliency to climate change and encouraging new builds to net zero standards), making life more affordable and supporting thousands of good jobs.

About the Kitchener indoor recreation complex

The 222,000-square-foot facility, which opens in summer 2026, has been designed to support a wide range of sports and recreational activities while prioritizing sustainability. Its key amenities include:

• A community and tournament-sized indoor turf fieldhouse. Divisible into four individual fields, it will be available for soccer, cricket, football, lacrosse, and more.
• An indoor aquatic center featuring a warm-water leisure pool and an eight-lane competition pool, with spacious viewing galleries.
• An elevated walking track, offering a full view of the indoor turf facility.
• Cricket batting cages for practice and training.
• Multipurpose rooms offering flexible spaces for community events and celebrations.
• A quad gymnasium for sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, pickleball and more.

The facility is being constructed as one of Canada’s most sustainable recreation centers. It will operate with high energy efficiency through a geothermal heating and cooling system and will feature the City’s largest array of solar panels, reducing carbon emissions by 43 tonnes annually and saving the City nearly $190,000 in utility costs each year.

The City of Kitchener is committed to creating inclusive and accessible recreational opportunities for all residents. The expansion of this facility aligns with that vision, ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can engage in active, healthy lifestyles within a state-of-the-art community space.