Overview

We’re building something extraordinary for our community and beyond - the Cowan Recreation Centre, a state-of-the-art destination for sport, fitness, and community connection. 

Opening late in 2026, this all-season, multi-use recreation complex is designed to meet the diverse needs of the community with a premier lineup of amenities: a large aquatics centre with two stainless steel pools, a FIFA-sized indoor turf field (divisible into four), a versatile quad gymnasium, an indoor walking track, two dedicated cricket practice nets, and four multi-purpose rooms for community programs and events. 

Designed as an accessible, sustainable, and welcoming gathering place, the Cowan Recreation Centre will support a wide range of users - from families discovering new activities to high performance athletes. With the capacity to welcome more than 500,000 visitors in its first year, the centre will offer diverse recreation options for all ages and abilities. Its tournament ready spaces will also position it as a leading sport tourism destination, attracting provincial and national events and bringing meaningful economic benefits to Kitchener. This is a place where residents and athletes alike can truly connect, compete, and belong.

We’re looking for a passionate community programmer who thrives on creating meaningful recreation experiences and building strong community connections. In this role, you’ll help shape programs that inspire participation, encourage active living, and bring the Cowan Recreation Centre’s vision to life.

As Sport and Recreation Program Coordinator, you will develop, plan and implement programs to ensure the successful delivery of single visit and registered, multi-week recreation programs to accommodate all ages, skill levels, and needs. You will coordinate the delivery of recreation and leisure programs (e.g., fitness, children/youth programs, preschool programs, specialty programs, camps, and special events) and work with community groups and volunteers to support and guide ongoing programs, providing expertise in program planning and delivery.  

If you’re energized by fast paced work, designing meaningful programs, and bringing recreation to life in a place where the community can Connect, where athletes from across Kitchener, Ontario, and Canada come to Compete, and where we all truly Belong — we’d love to meet you.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, schedule, and coordinate daytime, evening and weekend leisure programs.
• Gather information on programming trends; assess current programs; identify gaps and develop/implement new programming, incorporating community consultation where appropriate. 
• Review course offerings to ensure they meet diverse community needs; design inclusive and diverse programs; link participants to other programs and community resources as needed.
• Provide customer service and respond to concerns/complaints regarding programs; support inclusion of customers with special needs; and mediate conflict/behaviour management issues, escalating as appropriate.
• Ensure programming reflects current corporate and departmental strategies and directions.
• Complete electronic templates for leisure courses and submit templates for entry into ActiveNet; prepare room set-up and equipment instruction sheets.
• Maintain record-keeping systems; compile and analyze statistics related to attendance, facility usage and program assessment.
• Coordinate and facilitate special events with volunteer committees and community partners; coordinate event and facility needs.
• Coordinate and schedule instructors and volunteers, including recruitment, training, performance evaluation, staffing changes, and maintenance of all related records and documentation.
• Ensure instructors and volunteers have information regarding applicable emergency procedures and requirements (e.g., Health & Safety, WHMIS, AODA and other applicable policies/legislation).
• Coordinate and participate in events that recognize volunteer contributions.
• Monitor annual operating budget for programs; conduct cost/revenue analysis for courses/events; and forecast, monitor, administer and analyze program/event budgets (including instructor wages, expenses and revenue targets).
• Review registrations and cancel/run programs in accordance with budget targets; approve changes/alterations to weekly payroll of program instructors.
• Operate programs within Council-approved fees and charges; provide input into suggested rates.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education

• 2-year diploma or two years in a specialized post-secondary program in recreation, social services, or related field.
• Current Standard First Aid certification.

Experience

• 2-4 years of related experience including an on-the-job period of adjustment

Additional Requirements

• Will be expected to occasionally work flexible hours (outside of Mon-Fri, 9 to 5), including evenings, weekends, and holidays on an as needed basis.
• Programs run weekdays, evenings and weekends; operational needs may occasionally extend beyond the typical work week.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of recreational program planning and management, needs assessment and community development.
• Knowledge of budget development and ability to operate programs within budget targets.
• Knowledge of staff/volunteer management principles; ability to recruit, train and support instructors and volunteers.
• Knowledge of behaviour management, problem solving, and risk management; ability to apply sound judgement in sensitive situations and mediate/resolve conflict.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and requirements (including AODA, OHSA, and MFIPPA) and City policies/procedures.
• Strong customer service and communication skills; ability to organize, prioritize, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency with common software (e.g., Microsoft Office) and ability to learn/operate additional systems such as ActiveNet and SAP.