Armstrong Spallumcheen Arena reflects the vision of a community that takes great pride in its forestry industry. Rather than settling for a typical recreation arena, the community instead sought a signature design reflective of its identity. Local forestry industry representatives committed significant material donations, allowing the design team to develop a wood-based arena structure.
To help mediate its scale, the building was sited into an embankment near tree cover, allowing on-grade access to both the event floor and the 400- seat spectator area. The main arena entry faces north toward the community?s fairgrounds, ball fields and swimming pool. Access control for spectators occurs on the concourse level and is controlled through a small box office. Game participants enter through a lower northwest entry that opens directly to dressing rooms and the playing surface. In addition to the normal complement of dressing rooms, a special ?flex room? is provided for members of coed teams.
The arena?s arched roof structure is of sufficient height above the playing surface to accommodate box lacrosse and hockey, yet low enough to create an intimate and barrier-free atmosphere for spectators. The fully exposed roof structure features glulam beams that span the arena, as well as clerestory windows that introduce abundant natural light.
Interior finishes were coordinated to reflect the creative use of the donated materials. For example, pine boards were used in conjunction with painted gypsum wallboards and accent lighting to create a vibrant concourse area.
Charles R. Drew Wellness Center
