Here's a first look at the new rec facility proposed in Kitchener
A new multi-purpose indoor recreation facility is being proposed in the City of Kitchener.
The city is proposing to build a carbon net-zero building at RBJ Schlegel Park, featuring an aquatic centre and an indoor field.
“This is building on the existing RBJ Schlegel Park, which has a splash pad, a number of outdoor sports fields,” Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said.
A rendering of the building's front entrance. (Submitted/City of Kitchener)
The proposal includes a FIFA-sized indoor turf field, which can be divided into smaller fields and host sports like soccer, cricket and lacrosse.
Also included in the proposal is an aquatics centre with a community leisure pool and a separate lane pool, a walking track and a multipurpose room. The city also wants to install an indoor cricket batting cage to support the year-round development of athletes.
In 2019, the city council did a study on what amenities were needed in the community. Vrbanovic said aquatic facilities and indoor sports fields were the most important to residents.
“This new facility will include an aquatic complex, indoor sports fields, and have expansion space for a future gymnasium, as well as a walking track in the building that's being proposed,” Vrbanovic said.
The proposal includes a leisure pool and a separate lane pool. (Submitted/City of Kitchener)
Vrbanovic said the Greenfield area of Kitchener is the fastest growing part of the city. He said council is aiming to intensify growth in the city, with 60 per cent or more of growth focused along major transit areas and the other 40 per cent aimed at developing Greenfield.
Not only would this facility serve residents in the southwest corner of Kitchener, Vrbanovic said it will also be used by residents across the city.
The proposal is to make the facility a carbon net-zero building. The city wants to use a geothermal heating and cooling system, and install Kitchener’s largest array of solar panels. The city said that would reduce 22 tonnes of carbon and save around $100,000 in utility costs annually.
“We believe that this will be one of the leading, if not one of the best facilities of its kind in Canada in terms of that,” Vrbanovic said.
RBJ Schlegel Park in Kitchener is seen on March 20, 2024. (Dave Pettitt/CTV Kitchener)
The facility is expected to cost $144 million, but have no impact on municipal taxes. It would be funded using previous federal and provincial grants, along with development charges. It would also be the first time the city has used an integrated project delivery model, which employs a multi-party contract to align contractors early on in the project in order to define values and design to cost.
“Taking that approach actually allows you to bring the various contractor groups and so on into the process early on. So as you're developing the project, you have a much better sense. By doing that at this point, we estimate that we've at least saved $7 million so far,” Vrbanovic said.
The project will go to the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee for consideration on Monday, followed by city council in April. If approved by the committee and council, the city hopes to have shovels in the ground by May, and the project finished by late spring or early summer 2026.
A rendering shows the park side entrance to the proposed facility. (Submitted/City of Kitchener)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.