Kitchener residents will soon have a new place to swim, play sports and enjoy recreation programs, and the city is celebrating its opening with nine days of free activities.
The Cowan Recreation Centre at RBJ Schlegel Park officially opens on Saturday, November 14, 2026, with a grand opening celebration running through November 22.
Rendering/Credit: City of Kitchener
The facility includes a FIFA-sized indoor turf field, competition and leisure pools, cricket practice nets, an indoor walking track and a quad gymnasium.
There’s also something unusual coming to the gymnasium: Canada’s first multi-sport glass floor. While visitors can see the technology during opening week, the floor itself won’t be available for sports until early 2027.
Nine Days of Free Activities
If you’re visiting with children, opening day offers plenty to explore. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the centre will host inflatables, face painting, mascot appearances, public swimming and family-friendly entertainment.
Here’s how the celebrations are scheduled:
- November 14, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Official ribbon-cutting ceremony in the fieldhouse with Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, council members, MP Tim Louis, MPPs Mike Harris and Jess Dixon, and community partners.
- November 14, noon to 6 p.m.: Free family activities, inflatables, face painting, mascots, community displays and public swims. Additional registered programs run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- November 15 to 20: Free public swims, fitness and wellness classes, recreational sports, youth activities, active aging programs, family play sessions and facility tours.
- November 21 and 22: Meet local sports organizations, watch demonstrations and explore recreation opportunities available in Kitchener.
On November 15, families can also enjoy free play and drop-in activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Canada’s First Multi-Sport Glass Floor
One of the centre’s most distinctive features is a glass sports surface that uses LED lighting beneath the panels to display court markings.
Developed by ASB GlassFloor, the system is expected to improve accessibility and make the gym easier to reconfigure for different programs.
According to the news release, the lines can be changed with the touch of a button for different sports, reducing visual clutter. The technology also supports accessible play, allowing easy transitions between wheelchair basketball, wheelchair pickleball, volleyball and other activities on the same surface.
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said, “Great community spaces should evolve alongside the people who use them.”
The city says the centre is its most accessible building to date, featuring pool ramps, wider pathways, tactile wayfinding and accessible viewing areas.
What to Know Before Visiting
Although the celebration is free, most scheduled activities require advance registration. Registration opened November 2, and the city asks residents to register for no more than two scheduled programs.
Parking will be limited, especially during opening weekend. Grand River Transit Route 33 will temporarily serve a stop at Wallaceton Way on November 14.
Bring swimwear and towels for pool activities, comfortable clothing for sports and a reusable water bottle.
When: November 14 to 22, 2026
Where: Cowan Recreation Centre at RBJ Schlegel Park, Kitchener
Admission: Free during the grand opening celebration
Registration: Required for most scheduled activities
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