As architect of record for the WMRC, (completed in 1993), Parkin is thrilled to have completed the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex Expansion project in September 2022. The two-storey expansion includes the Civic Front addition; a new gymnasium with support spaces, the renovation of existing multi-purpose and pool change room spaces, plus the new Community Pavilion connected via a new bridge to the existing complex.
Extensive renovations within the WMRC included converting the existing 800-person banquet hall to create a central fitness core and change rooms, expanding the capacity of the pool family changeroom through the reorganization of all pool change rooms, renovations of existing arena concessions and some finish upgrades within the main lobby and public corridor.
The Civic Front includes an activity court / gymnasium, lobby area, offices, and support spaces, such as lockers and change rooms. The facility accommodates sports including pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and other community events for use by all ages. This new civic front creates a new and transformed first impression of the WMRC.
A new Central Fitness Core is designed through transformation of the existing Hauser Haus Banquet Hall on the uppermost floor of the WMRC. The renovated area will accommodate a fitness programming area for activities like yoga, dance and other exercise programs including lounge space for transitions. The renovations will include provision of a purpose designed walking track to reduce demand conflicts of the hugely successful existing running track in the arena.
The Community Pavilion Addition and Bridge to the WMRC will provide a new home for the Older Adult Programs in a two-storey addition. The two-storey building includes a meeting/dining hall, program rooms, kitchen, lounge and program rooms for health, games, fitness, and multi-purpose programming.
Attention to interior details were essential to establishing character and the facility’s identity for its diverse functions and user groups. For example, the interior of the Community Pavilion is notable, having a minimalistic and timeless approach to materials, while the Fitness Core consists of more expressive elements such as colourful supergraphics to create a more visual interest. Using a different design approach for each of these spaces helps to define their character and create unique experiences for the community.
To address the overwhelming demand for the pool alternative change room, the pool changes rooms were reorganized and renovated to provide a larger family change room to maximize access by the community and capture new users of the Aquatics Centre.
The sustainability goals of the project included Savings by Design Grants, LEED Silver Shadow, and the City of Waterloo’s Green Policy. These initiatives focused on sustainable construction with the added goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption by up to 50 per cent less than the base code benchmark.
Parametric analysis at the concept stage assisted with systems design. Design performance was validated by multiple energy models throughout the design and construction documents stages. A post-occupancy validation was also undertaken to verify that installation by the contractor supported energy targets. In the end, the project was successful in surpassing energy targets post occupancy, achieving a 47 per cent savings over the SB-10 (Ontario Building Code) benchmark.
Team:
Architects: Parkin Architects Limited
Structural: Read Jones Christopherson
Mechanical/Electrical: HH Angus
Civil: WalterFedy
Landscape: WSP
Sustainability: WSP
Acoustics: Thornton Tomasetti
Photographer: DesignSQ
Materials used:
Facade cladding:
o Community Pavilion
o Exterior Wood-look Cladding – Solid Composite Phenolic Paneling – Gentas 4389 – Brown
Bubinga
o Exterior Cladding - Aluminum Composite Panel – Alpolic – BNT White
o Exterior Masonry Cladding – Brampton Brick – Profile Series – Iceland White and Charcoal
o Soffit – Solid Composite Phenolic Paneling – Gentas 4389 – Brown Bubinga
o Penthouse Cladding – Kingspan – Regent Grey
o Mechanical Screen – Vicwest – Perforated ADR300 – Bone White
o Bridge
o Cladding – Aluminum Composite Panel – Alpolic – BNT White
o Aluminum Windows – Kawneer 1600UT – Duranar XLBC Graphite Gray (Exterior), Black
Anodized Aluminum (Interior)
o Glazing – Vitro Architectural Glass
o Soffit – Solid Composite Phenolic Paneling – Gentas 4389 – Brown Bubinga
o Civic Front
o Exterior Masonry Cladding – Brampton Brick – Architectural Block – Frost and Charcoal
o Soffit – Solid Composite Phenolic Paneling – Gentas 4389 – Brown Bubinga
– Aluminum Composite Panel – Alpolic – BNT White
o Penthouse Cladding – Kingspan – Regent Grey
Flooring:
o Community Pavilion
o Linoleum Sheet Flooring - “Concrete 3704 Satellite” by Forbo Industries Inc.
o Ceramic Tile - by Stone Tile
- “Provence Nero”, 300 mm x 600 mm (12-inch x 24 inch)
- “Provence Gris”, 300 mm x 600 mm (12-inch x 24 inch)
- “Provence Nero”, 600 mm x 600 mm (24-inch x 24 inch)
o Carpet Tile - by Interface Carpet
-“Twist & Shine Micro” Colour: “607808 Midnight Micro”
o Carpet Tile - by Forbo
- “Flotex Metro” Colour: “s246008 Metro Anthracite”
o Athletic Flooring - by Northwest Rubber
- “ProXL” Colour: “Fossil 512”
o Existing Building Reno
o Ceramic Tile - by Stone Tile
- “Basaltine Light Grey”, 300 mm x 600 mm (12-inch x 24-inch)
- “Flint Cool Superpreto Matte”, 150 mm x 600 mm (6-inch x 24-inch
- “Provence Gris”, 300 mm x 600 mm (12-inch x 24 inch)
o Ceramic Tile - by Hotlen Impex (formerly Royal Mosa)
- “Global Collection” Colour: “75230V”, 150 mm x 150 mm (6 inch x 6 inch)
o Athletic Flooring - by Northwest Rubber
- “ProXL” Colour: “Fossil 512”
- “Reaction” Colour: “Cobalt 640”
o Civic Front
o Ceramic Tile - by Hotlen Impex (formerly Royal Mosa)
- “Global Collection” Colour: “75230V”, 150 mm x 150 mm (6-inch x 6 inch)
o Ceramic Tile - by Stone Tile
- “Basaltine Light Grey”, 300 mm x 600 mm (12-inch x 24 inch)
- “Provence Gris”, 300 mm x 600 mm (12-inch x 24 inch)
o Carpet Tile - by Interface Carpet
-“Twist & Shine Micro” Colour: “607808 Midnight Micro”
o Athletic Flooring - by Mondo America
- “Advance Vulcanized” Colour: ”L62 Sand”
o Athletic Flooring - by Northwest Rubber
- “Reaction” Colour: “Rhino 612”
- “Stamina” Colour: “Grey120”
Doors:
Community Pavilion
o Aluminum Swing Doors and Curtain Wall – Kawneer 1600UT – Duranar XLBC Graphite Gray
(Exterior), Black Anodized Aluminum (Interior)
o Glazing – Vitro Architectural Glass and Okawood
o Aluminum Automatic Sliding Doors – Assa Abloy – Besam SL500 Telescopic - Duranar XLBC
Graphite Gray
Civic Front
o Exterior Masonry Cladding – Brampton Brick – Architectural Block – Frost and Charcoal
o Soffit – Solid Composite Phenolic Paneling – Gentas 4389 – Brown Bubinga
- Aluminum Composite Panel – Alpolic – BNT White
o Penthouse Cladding – Kingspan – Regent Grey
o Aluminum Swing Doors and Curtain Wall – Kawneer 1600UT – Duranar XLBC Graphite Gray(
Exterior), Black Anodized Aluminum (Interior)
o Glazing – Vitro Architectural Glass
o Aluminum Automatic Sliding Doors – Assa Abloy – Besam SL500 Telescopic - Duranar XLBC
Graphite Gray
Windows: n/a
Roofing: Bothwell-Accurate
o Community Pavilion
o Roofing – Carlisle – Sure-Weld TPO - White
o Bridge
o Roofing – Carlisle – Sure-Weld TPO - White
o Civic Front
o Roofing – Carlisle – Sure-Weld TPO – White (Gym)
– Soprema – SopraPly Base 520 – Snow White 1” Ballast (Change Rooms)
Interior furniture:
- Parkin Architects did not select the furniture.
