This project is a two rink facility with appropriate change room and support areas for an ice skating facility. CTA Architecture and Design was retained to provide a solution to a project that originally exceeded its budgetary constraints due to inflation. Our approach was to embrace building systems proven to be economical while at the same time attempting to create a design that expresses the uniqueness in the particular circumstances of the project thereby arriving at a solution that is both economical but also expressive of the qualities particular to the projects circumstances. We employed building systems proven to be economical but not at the expense of a good design. Insulated metal panels are used extensively throughout the project, and attached to a pre-engineered frame. We minimized custom steel elements allowed for strategically implemented custom features including the front stair.
The project attempts to be ‘hyper’ efficient in its area allocations, consolidating program necessary for service to the ice skating program, such as change rooms and other support functions. These were consolidated on the level of the rinks and for reasons of efficiency, other program elements that are very public in nature including viewing bleachers and washrooms were locate on a floor above the ice level programs. On the South side, the exterior and entry express this organization through a stair on the exterior that connects the ice level functions with the public viewing bleachers above. On the North side, facing a busy arterial street, the public is engaged by use of transparency of the rinks to those cycling or driving by the facility.
