Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre

Edmonton, AB
Construction Cost: $96.8 million (Canadian; total project)
Area / Square Feet: 220,000
Occupancy Date: April 2013

Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre transforms the Commonwealth Stadium grounds into a revitalized urban park and community destination. The community center includes a 60,000-square-foot, three-basin aquatic hall, a field house, a fitness center, a running track, a gymnasium and community space.

The three primary masses — the aquatic hall, field house and gymnasium — respond to the scale of the stadium and dynamic triangulated geometries of the site, framing a central lobby space. The pool massing creates a prow-like gesture, suggesting speed and movement. Light is delivered on three sides of the pool in a controlled and private manner through deep exterior overhangs and a robust ceramic-fritted glass pattern responding to views and daylight.

The aquatic center is designed as a unique saltwater system, utilizing a flocculent filtration process to achieve European DIN standards — providing the highest level of clean, clear water and indoor air quality. The aquatic hall also has a complete acoustic ceiling and wood acoustic wall panels to achieve a great sonic aquatic and teaching environment.