Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre is a community hub ready to raise the next generation of athletes, weekend warriors and recreation enthusiasts. The facility is a home for ice sports, Pilates, pickleball, informal play areas and playoff watch parties. It’s designed to provide a rich, dynamic experience for those on and off the ice.
Rather than build the traditional blackbox arena many Canadians grew up with, the design team set out to create an arena that prioritizes both people and performance. A unique structural approach floods the rinks with north facing light without impacting ice quality, while the exposed mass timber roof creates a warm and inviting space for both players and spectators.
Nestled in Burnaby’s emerging Southgate community, the site’s tight footprint led to a nontraditional arrangement of its two NHL-sized ice sheets: a right angle with a lobby at the vertex. This creates greater transparency and openness between the lobby and the ice sheets, and an elevation to the street and community beyond. Balancing informal and formal play, parents can cheer on their children from a warm viewing area on the second floor.
Architect of Record
hcma architecture + design
Vancouver, B.C.
Suppliers
Southern Recreation Center
