City of Calgary, Alberta
Cardel Place
Calgary, AB
The product of an unparalleled partnership among the City of Calgary Parks and Recreation, Nose Creek Sport and Recreation Association, Calgary Public Library, and two school boards, this multiuse regional recreation and education center affirmed the constituent groups’ goal of creating an energy-efficient facility that would house a public library and diverse sports activities with an appropriately high level of visibility and clearly defined circulation to accommodate multiple users. Challenges addressed in design included creatively dealing with the Calgary climate, a sloping topography, and the impact of multiple large building components on the site. The facility’s compact massing, extensive daylighting, and other energy-saving measures are among the strategies that earned the project LEED Gold certification.
“Good project inside and out. Consistency and organization flows throughout the project. Very nice balance of solid and transparency, the mix of sloped and cube forms - provides great interest for a very large building. Nice views into activity spaces and nice distinction of uses with split-level entries. Great to see Gold LEED certification - huge challenge on this building type!” Recreation Management - Innovative Architecture & Design Award
Cardel Place, a flexible, multiuse regional recreation and education centre serving the residents of Panorama Hills, a rapidly growing neighborhood of Calgary, provides a six-lane, 25-metre pool with recreational component, fitness facilities, a three-court gymnasium, an ice arena, and a library, on a site adjacent to two high schools. The 195,000 sf complex is the product of a public partnership that included the City of Calgary Parks and Recreation, the Nose Creek Sport and Recreation Association, the Calgary Public Library, and two school authorities.
During the schematic design phase, the city of Calgary mandated that city-funded public facilities must achieve LEED Silver certification at a minimum. Although Cardel Place was not subject to the mandate, innovative sustainable solutions incorporated into the design enabled the facility to surpass this requirement and earn a LEED Gold rating. Signs throughout the facility explain the building’s sustainable features to the public.
The combination of ice rink and pool within the same facility makes possible an innovative exchange of heat and cooling: Cooling from the ice rink is used to dehumidify pool air, and heat from the arena ice plant and from the building’s cogeneration system is captured and redeployed elsewhere in the building. Waterless urinals, low-flush toilets, and electronic faucets save over 1 million liters of water per year. Abundant windows and natural light reduce lighting energy consumption and provide daylight and views to 90% of interior spaces.
View LEED Points
- Multi-component aquatic facility featuring a four-lane, 25-meter lifestyle pool
- Fitness and weight room facility
- Triple gymnasium
- Two NHL-size ice arenas
- Calgary Public Library
- Community meeting rooms and offices
- Pro shop
- Food services
Distinctions
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Innovative Architecture & Design Award
Recreation Management
Credits
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Gibbs Gage Architects
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Rob Lemermeyer Photography
Publications
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Recreation Management
Going for the Gold Again