Text description provided by the architects. Community development projects such as recreational and sports facilities are central to our practice. We understand the contribution of recreation centres in building and sustaining the physical and social health of our towns and cities. These are the spaces of play, friendship, camaraderie and competition—the shared experiences that create strong communities. In recognizing the value of these buildings, we see our roles as designers of architecture that inspires action.
Design works to help communities thrive; it is a process of discovering the means to engage the human spirit.
In response to the recreation needs of its growing community, the City of Quinte West entered into partnership with the YMCA to create the recently completed YMCA Quinte. Quinte’s citizens now enjoy two recreation pools, a double sized gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms, fitness areas and studio space. To promote active use during the cold winter months, a walking trail is incorporated into the facility’s circulation space. In addition to recreation spaces, the 50,000 square foot building offers several community rooms, one of the benefits of a City/MCA partnership. A daycare and administration office area completes the component areas.
The location of the YMCA Quinte animates a previously vacant commercial-industrial site. A nearby major provincial highway provides easy access to the large volumes of traffic passing by. It is expected that this location will also provide to be a catalyst for future development. Designed to convey an “explosion of activity”, this new centre of recreation and city activities is just that, serving both as a community energizer and generator of future growth.
