Situated within a growing suburban neighborhood west of Toronto, the project converts a 50-acre agricultural field into richly textured parkland with a community center as its focus. The center’s simple yet dynamic mass is integrated with the sports and leisure park to form a neighborhood landmark and vital, city-wide destination for gathering and healthful activity. The building has cantilevers on its exterior that provide shelter for a walking track around its perimeter and for those using the park amenities. The striking canopy that runs along the west and south facades extends the building’s mass timber structure — an array of glulam columns that provide structural and curtainwall framing. This structure is clad in expanded aluminum mesh that protects the wood from the elements and filters light to mitigate glare within the lobby, pool and gyms.
Inside, the lobby, pools and gyms are covered with a stretched membrane assembly that is perforated for acoustic insulation. This ceiling’s inverted peaks diffuse light from a series of sawtooth skylights above. Practically, this eliminates glare and excess heat gain, while the overall effect also evokes serenely lit caverns. These spaces connect to the outside via full-height glazing.
The park offers a series of leisure and fitness spaces spread across a landscape of gently rolling hills made from soil reclaimed during excavation.
A measured trail loop connects all park programs and passes by environmental stewardship zones, a protected wetland and a stormwater management pond. It also ties into an existing trail network and the surrounding neighborhood.
ARCHITECT OF RECORD
MJMA Architecture & Design
Toronto, Ont.
PROJECT VENDORS
Building Systems - Pre-Engineered Structures | Dome by Farley |
Building Systems - Skylights | Aerloc |
Fitness Center - Flooring, Aerobics | Connor Sports Flooring |
Fitness Center - Flooring, Fitness Center | Connor Sports Flooring |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Basketball Backboards/Supports | Gymnasium & Health Equipment |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Divider Curtains | Gymnasium & Health Equipment |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Lighting | Salex |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Scoreboards/Timing Systems | OES Inc. |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Scorers Tables | OES Inc. |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Volleyball Nets and Standards | Gymnasium & Health Equipment |
Locker/Shower - Flooring | Floor tiles by Mosa Tiles and by American Olean |
Locker/Shower - Lockers | Columbia Lockers |
Locker/Shower - Shower/Toilet Partitions | Bobrick |
Locker/Shower - Swimsuit Extractors | Suitmate Spinner |
Outdoor Facilities/Stadiums - Baseball Backstops | First Team Sports Inc. |
Outdoor Facilities/Stadiums - Basketball Backboards/Supports | First Team Sports Inc. |
Outdoor Facilities/Stadiums - Football Goal Posts | Sportsfield Specialties |
Outdoor Facilities/Stadiums - Lighting | Ephesus |
Outdoor Facilities/Stadiums - Scoreboards | Nevco |
Outdoor Facilities/Stadiums - Soccer Goals | Helo Sports |
Outdoor Facilities/Stadiums - Sports Surfaces | Carpell Surfaces |
Pools - Deck/Basin Surface | American Olean Unglazed ColorBody |
Pools - Gutters | EMCO |
Pools - Ladders/Grab Bars | Spectrum rails and anchors |
Pools - Lane Markers | Commercial Aquatic Supply |
Pools - Starting Blocks | Spectrum Record Breaker |