The time to act is now. With the population of Waterloo Region projected to surpass one million by 2033, our community must invest in spaces that allow people to play, live, and thrive as we grow. We have a unique opportunity to plan and construct a state-of-the-art multi-sport stadium with an adjacent indoor Multi-sport performance centre housing a 200m running competition track and training space for athletes that would serve as a hub for local athletes, community events, and provincial, national, and international competitions. Centennial Stadium, with its central location and history, is the ideal venue for this transformation.

This stadium would be a game-changer, accommodating sports like track and field, soccer, tackle and flag football, rugby, field Hockey, lacrosse, and more. It would also have the capacity to stage prestigious events like the Ontario Federation of School Athletics Association (OFSAA) championship, the second largest track meet in North America, which was held at Centennial Stadium in 1984 and 1994 (Hosted in Kitchener by Hamilton High School organizers) and in 1995 again (Hosted Waterloo Region High Schools). Athletics Ontario championships could be hosted here, and Athletics Canada championships could return to the area for the first time since 1997.

Most notably, Centennial Stadium (located behind the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium) was the site of a pre-Olympics tune-up meet in 1996, featuring athletes from Canada, the United States, and Australia. A new stadium would restore Waterloo Region’s ability to host events of this caliber while boosting our local economy through sport tourism.

Beyond sports, the facility could serve as a vital cultural hub. It would provide a much-needed venue for concerts, marching band competitions, outdoor powwows, and cultural events, offering a space for artistic expression and community celebration.

Additionally, this venue could bring professional sports opportunities to the region by hosting a professional women’s soccer league franchise. Such a franchise would not only elevate the level of competition in the area but also provide much-needed gender equity to the pro sports spectating experience, which is currently absent in Waterloo Region.

"A project like this is not just a win for Waterloo Region but for the entire province of Ontario," said Paul Osland, the CEO of Athletics Ontario. "The lack of sports facilities, particularly indoor venues, is a critical issue across Ontario. Right now, we’re facing the heartbreaking reality of turning kids away from track and field because our clubs simply don’t have the space to accommodate them. A multi-sport stadium, with indoor and outdoor capabilities, would be a game-changer. Not only would it provide opportunities for more youth to participate and thrive in sport, but hosting events like the Ontario Provincial Indoor and Outdoor Championships could generate millions of dollars in economic impact for the region. This facility would set a new standard for inclusion, accessibility, and economic vitality in athletics while fostering a lifelong love for physical activity."

In addition to creating a space for athletes, arts, and culture, the stadium would be a magnet for community engagement, generating a sense of pride and belonging. Local, provincial, and national events—including the Ontario and Canada Games—would draw visitors, bolster economic impact, and support proactive mental and physical health care in the region.

However, the current state of affairs for sports facilities in Waterloo Region is dire. As Bruce Glebe, sprints coach and manager of the Laurel Creek Club—home to over 200 athletes—puts it: “The current state of affairs for indoor and outdoor track venues within Waterloo region is embarrassing and shameful.” Julie Wetzler, coach and spokesperson for Special Olympics Ontario K-W, described the conditions at the facilities they used this year as substandard track surfaces and poor field event venues." 

The Kitchener-Waterloo Sport Council’s Facilities Committee has identified the preferred location for this project as the site behind the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, where the former Centennial Stadium once stood. That 3,200-seat facility, which opened in 1967, served our community well until its demolition in 2013 after years of neglect.

By signing this petition, you are helping to advocate for a brighter, healthier, and more inclusive future for sports, arts, and culture in Waterloo Region. Let’s bring this vision to life and provide a facility worthy of our community’s potential.

Join us in making this dream a reality! Sign the petition today.