Proposal to Kitchener council asks for more funding for sports courts

The mayor of Kitchener is asking his city’s council for a one-time, $1 million funding boost to help revitalize some of the city’s sporting courts.

During Monday’s special council meeting, Councillor Scott Davey, speaking on behalf of Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, proposed a Community Court Investment Program. It would be used to install or fix up already existing basketball or tennis courts in various wards across the city.

“This investment will see the installation of new courts in underserviced areas of the city or enhance the condition of existing courts, recognizing that these types of recreational amenities serve as an important gathering space for residents of all ages in neighbourhoods across Kitchener,” said Davey, reading the proposal.

The extra million dollars would come from the Strategic Additions Reserve Fund, which is already included in the 2025 proposed budget. City staff have not specified what the funds would be used for.

Under provincial strong mayor legislation, the mayor of the city is required to present the budget. Mayor Vrbanovic was not at Monday’s meeting following the death of his mother, Nada, announced at the beginning of the meeting.

The proposed 2025 budget for the City of Kitchener would see a tax increase of 3.9 per cent, or an extra $49 a year. In total, residents living in Kitchener could see an extra cost of $131 a year, including water and sewage increases.

Councillors will bring forward and vote on amendments to the budget during a meeting on Dec. 12.