Kitchener celebrates Province’s $300 million investment in community sport and recreation infrastructure

This morning, the Province of Ontario announced an additional $300 million investment in the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), as part of the 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario. Funds will be used to meet the needs of growing communities by building and upgrading sport and recreation facilities across the province.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and members of City council welcomed Minister Neil Lumsden and Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, along with local MPP Mike Harris, to the Cowan Recreation Centre (CRC) site for the announcement. In 2025, the Province approved $10 million in funding to the CRC through CSRIF. This additional funding allowed a quad-gymnasium to be added to the centre – a feature beyond the initial scope of the project.

“Today’s announcement is a critical investment in safe, accessible sport and recreation facilities that help bring people together and communities active,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “Through CSRIF, our government is protecting Ontario by strengthening local infrastructure and building healthier, more resilient communities - now and for generations to come.” CSRIF is the government’s single largest investment in the sport and recreation sector to date and will create jobs while helping people across Ontario lead healthier, more active lifestyles. Enhancing and expanding sport and recreation facilities increases accessibility, encourages participation and helps communities unlock the economic opportunities that come from hosting local, national and international sporting events and competitions.

“The impact of this provincial CSRIF funding will go far beyond building high quality recreation spaces in cities like ours,” shared Mayor Vrbanovic. “It’s a significant investment in Kitchener and Ontario's up-and-coming athletes who will play, train and compete in cutting-edge facilities like Cowan, while empowering communities to showcase what they have to offer, attract major sporting events and tournaments, and generate meaningful economic activity that strengthens local businesses and supports long term economic resilience.” 

Once complete, the 222,000-square-foot Cowan Recreation Centre will be the most accessible building the City has ever constructed, meeting the highest standards used by the City and shaped with input from accessibility advocates. Other features designed to service residents of all ages and abilities include an aquatic centre with eight-lane competition pool and program pool; a four-turf field house; a quad gymnasium; two cricket practice nets; an elevated walking track; and multipurpose rooms. More than 30 local sport groups will use the facility, helping reduce or eliminate current waitlists for a variety of youth programs.

The project remains on track for completion in late 2026.

More information about CSRIF eligibility and application guidelines will be released later this year.

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For more information:

Corporate Communications and Marketing
City of Kitchener
Media@Kitchener.ca

Cowan Recreation Centre quick facts:

·         Opening late 2026, the centre is expected to welcome more than 500,000 visitors in its first year - showing how much demand there is for this facility.

·         More than 30 local sport groups will use the facility, helping reduce or eliminate current waitlists for a variety of youth sport programs.

·         Among the largest municipally owned recreation centres in Canada.

·         Most accessible building the City has ever constructed, meeting the highest standards used by the City and shaped with input from accessibility advocates.

·         One of Canada’s most environmentally friendly recreation facilities - and home to the largest municipally owned rooftop solar panel installation in the region