Conestoga’s Recreation Centre at the Doon campus has been named one of 20 finalists in the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) annual Design Excellence Awards.
The Centre, designed by MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects, was selected from more than 140 submissions. Finalists were judged on criteria that included creativity, context, sustainability, good design and legacy.
“The OAA Awards showcase the exceptional work that Ontario architects are doing in the province, Canada and around the world,” said John Stephenson, OAA president. “Each year I’m blown away at the creativity and forward-thinking architects bring to their projects."
The Conestoga community celebrated the official opening of the Recreation Centre on October 3, 2016. Plans for the renovation and expansion project were developed in consultation with the college’s student association, Conestoga Students Inc., and based on feedback from a student survey.
The redesign updated the existing gym and reused the underutilized ice arena and its shell for a new triple-gymnasium and overhead track. The main entrance was also reoriented towards the campus -- rather than the parking lot as in the existing plan -- to engage the campus and increase connectivity.
The facility now provides a full range of recreation and athletic services and houses a 35,000 square-foot fitness centre outfitted with floor-to-ceiling windows and filled with state-of-the art equipment. In addition to the recreation areas, new community and social spaces and health and wellness offices have been added to provide a full range of athletic services.
The OAA is a self-regulating organization that represents, regulates, supports and promotes the architecture profession in the interest of Ontarians.
Winners of the design awards will be announced on April 3.