Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Kitchener will receive $2 million in funding from the Government of Canada to support construction of a new gymnasium at the Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex.
The 33,800-sq. ft. gymnasium will have four multipurpose courts, 40-ft. ceilings, and competition-level flooring and the complex will be Kitchener’s inaugural net-zero carbon building and one of Canada’s most sustainable recreation facilities.
With Multiplex as the general contractor and Unity Design Studios as the architect, the complex will be equipped with geothermal cooling and heating and Kitchener’s largest array of solar panels. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 22 tons annually, which will result in an estimated $100,000 in annual utility savings for the city.
Construction was approved by Kitchener City Council in 2019 and is expected to be completed by 2026.
According to the latest construction update posted in February, more than 55,000 hours have been worked on-site, and the latest highlights include:
- Concrete foundations complete and backfilled
- Steel complete in the aquatics center, lobby, and multipurpose areas, with metal decking installed
- Fieldhouse steel columns and cross-bracing 25% erected – some reaching six stories high
- Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) exterior wall installation begins in March
- North parking lot on track to reopen this spring
“This expansion will create a gymnasium space where residents of all ages can stay active, connect with others, and engage in programs that promote healthy living,” Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said in a press release. “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 new gymnasium will also feature a FIFA-sized indoor turf fieldhouse, an indoor aquatic center with a warm water leisure pool and an 8-lane competition pool, an elevated walking track, and multipurpose rooms for community events.
The $2 million in funding comes on top of a previous $9.7 million investment from the Government of Canada, which was provided through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
