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Architects: Acton Ostry Architects
- Area: 40 m²
- Year: 2009
- Photographs: Nic Lehoux
Text description provided by the architects. The Killarney Ice Rink + Lobby project is a replacement of an existing ice rink and lobby at the Killarney Community Centre in Vancouver that is comprised of a swimming pool facility, an ice rink, a gymnasium, and other activity spaces. The renewal of the Killarney Community Centre complex improved access to the facility in order that it may continue to serve its vital role as a key social hub of the Killarney neighbourhood. The arena was designed to act as a short-track speed skating training venue for the 2010 Winter Games. After the completion of the Games, the international-size ice surface was converted to an NHL-sized rink with seating for 250 spectators for use by the community.
The form, massing and materials reflect those of the existing facility to create a harmonious, unified expression for the entire community centre complex. The roof slope over the new rink mirrors the slope of the roof of the existing pool facility, thereby creating a focus to the main entry and lobby. Generous canopies are provided at main entries to provide shelter and to serve as transition zones between the interior and exterior.
The arena is constructed of tilt-up pre-cast concrete accented with masonry veneer and standing seam metal cladding to match materials used at the existing swimming pool building. The lobby is constructed with a combination of structural steel, glulam beams and extensive floor to ceiling glazing. Blue, violet and fuchsia hues of coloured glass vividly animate the crisp, frosty white of the rink interior.
The skater lounge accommodates public functions and social activities when not occupied for rink use. Administration offices take advantage of borrowed natural light and facilitate public interaction with staff via the adjacent lobby. The lobby is designed to accommodate public events, activities and gatherings.
New landscaping is concentrated around the perimeter of the ice rink and lobby. An outdoor terrace, located adjacent to the main entry approach incorporates benches and shade trees and can be used as an outdoor room to support community activities. A large landscape berm and trees located to the west of the ice rink serve to anchor the rink to the land in a manner complementary to the neighbouring swimming pool.
To achieve LEED Gold certification, a key design strategy was employed to take advantage of the inherent synergies that exist between the exchange of heating and cooling capabilities associated with the refrigeration system of the new ice rink. Excess heat generated from ice slab refrigeration is used to heat the adjacent swimming pool, thereby helping to optimize energy performance by a projected 38 percent, or 490,000 equivalent kilowatt hours per year. In 2009, the project was recognized with an Excellence for Green Building Award from the Globe Foundation and World Green Building Council.
