Local advocates calling for new track and field stadium

At one time, Waterloo Region was considered a destination to host large sporting events. In the mid 90’s Centennial stadium played host to Athletics Canada competitions, Olympic preliminary events and the Special Olympics.

After years of neglect, Centennial was demolished in 2013, leaving the region without a facility to host such events.

In the aftermath, local track and field and running clubs have been forced to look elsewhere for facilities to train in, with many of them looking outside the region.

The Kitchener Waterloo Sports Council has been leading the push to build a new facility at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex.

Peter Baxter is the council’s ad hoc facilities committee chair. He told The Mike Farwell Show, clubs have been managing by using the tracks at the region’s high schools and universities. But, it’s gotten to the point where even those options are drying up.

“The universities have grown, so they don’t have room for community use. We need facilities from gymnasiums, track (and) even soccer. It’s also why we’ve lost the Canada Games bids and so forth.”

The council is proposing a outdoor stadium with a 200 metre track with sports fields on the infield. There would also be an indoor track facility for off-season training with more courts and gym space. The price tag is estimated at $60 million.

Baxter said a new sports complex would be much more than just a sports facility: It would have impacts across the community.

“We’ve been talking about houses but people need space also to gather and create community with a diverse background and to collaborate and innovate to attract talent to the community so we remain an innovation hub of North America.”

Baxter said he has asked the local track community to add their voice to the push. He referenced the local hockey community which has been successful in advocating for new arenas.