Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre

Location: Edmonton, AB
Year: Current
Status: Under Construction
Size: 17,000 m² / 183,000 ft²
Joint Venture Architects: HCMA Architecture + Design and FaulknerBrowns Architects

This unique recreation facility includes an indoor cycle track, gymnasium, running track, change rooms, fitness rooms, public and retail space, and administrative spaces. All of the program is located at grade within the footprint of the main building, with the cycle and running tracks raised one storey above grade. A physical, at grade link connects the new community centre with the existing Peter Hemingway Pool, so that it can operate as an indoor triathlon facility - unique in the world.

The design fosters critical connections and sightlines, both to the park and between program elements. Critical site axes were identified which set up significant relationships between building program elements and park neighbours. To strengthen these relationships, an artificial mound has been built up, and then excavated in such a way as to allow program spaces to relate directly to these key park spaces. The “excavation” is contained by berm walls that are continuous into the building, and are aligned such that they support the underside of the tracks above.

The planning employs a ring of active program spaces that surround the urban court, creating a dynamic atmosphere and strong visual connections. Informal social gathering spaces are carefully allocated throughout the building plan. Controlled natural light is also central to the design. At the running track level, a continuous band of glazing provides views to the park and daylight to the track. At the upper roof level, a continuous band of clerestory glazing separates the primary roof structure. The wood ribbon enclosure reconciles the building geometry and parallels the twisting cycle track form. This strategy provides direct and ambient light to the running track and will highlight the twisting wood ribbon that winds its way around the track.