"We are in the midst of an exciting time for accessibility in Ontario, and we are thrilled that we can be a part of the societal shift that is happening. This world-class event will introduce the added value of universal design and accessibility to thousands of citizens and visitors. We have already seen the positive impacts of accessible recreation venues in their host communities as inclusive destinations for all. These venues, the Athletes' Village and perhaps most importantly, the awareness built through the Games will ensure a lasting legacy of inclusion for all.”
Making the Games accessible to all has been a central feature in the planning and design of Toronto 2015. From inclusive advertisements that showcase both Pan Am and Parapan Am athletes, to the incorporation of Braille in the medals for both Pan Am and Parapan Am competitions, Toronto 2015 has embraced inclusivity as a core value under the motto “united we play”. Architects have also played a central role in making the Games accessible to all, promoting universal design through an integrated accessible design process that has resulted in unusually inclusive environments. Below we share a story by
Quadrangle Architects, an Ontario architectural practice who served as the accessibility consultant to the planning, design and compliance teams for the Athletes’ Village and four new sports venues across the Greater Toronto Area.
Cisco Milton Pan Am / Parapan Am Velodrome (Cannon Design): the viewing areas are carefully configured to avoid width reduction of accessible routes and provide unobstructed views of the the cycling track and playing field. Porper lighting ensures visibility. Photo credit: Bob Gundu.
“This summer, Toronto is hosting the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, the largest international, multi-sport event ever to be held in Canada. In preparation for the Games, Infrastructure Ontario, the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) and other partners commissioned the construction of four new world class sports and training facilities: the CIBC Aquatics Centre and Field House; the Cisco Velodrome; the CIBC Hamilton Soccer Stadium; and the CIBC Athletics Stadium. Infrastructure Ontario hired Quadrangle Architects to serve as the Accessibility Consultant to ensure that the new facilities were fully accessible sport and recreation venues.
In their role as the accessibility consultant for the planning, design and compliance of the new facilities, Quadrangle worked within the private-public partnership to advocate for the highest level of accessibility and use the principles of universal design to go above and beyond the minimum accessibility regulations—both in Canada and internationally. They began by reviewing international codes, guidelines and best practices of universal design for sport and recreation venues as well as hosting workshops with stakeholders, designers, students, athletes, and members of the disability community to develop a set of accessibility specifications; they reviewed the design drawings during all project phases and monitored the construction for compliance. Quadrangle proved that by introducing the principles of universal design during the planning stages we can create fully integrated accessible environments that enable all people to fully experience and enjoy the facilities. Quadrangle worked to ensure that during the Games and after they conclude, everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, will feel welcomed in these world-class athletic facilities.
CIBC Aquatics Centre and Field House: The main reception desk integrates counters at different heights to accommodate visitors in mobility devices and people of small stature, as well as those approaching on foot. The reception desk promotes interaction and approachability for all, with suitable knee clearances for visitors using mobility devices. Photo Credit: Bob Gundu
Designed by NORR Limited, The CIBC Aquatics Centre and Field House demonstrates how an integrated accessible design process has resulted in an inclusive environment that does not pronounce its accessible qualities. The LEED Gold facility, located on the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, is the largest new-build sport venue constructed for the 2015 Games and includes: a multi-level fitness centre; two Olympic sized swimming pools; a competition and training pool; a dive tank; four competition size gymnasiums; and a 41-foot climbing wall. The facility is also home to the Canadian Sports Institute Ontario (CSIO), a member of a national network of Canadian Sport Institutes designed to enhance the daily training environment of Canada’s high performance athletes and Para-athletes. The facility is complete with support spaces such as gender specific change rooms, family change rooms, universal change rooms, multi-stall washrooms, universal toilet rooms, offices and meeting rooms. Working with Quadrangle’s accessibility output specifications, NORR introduced innovative accessible features throughout the Aquatics Centre, Field House and CSIO, demonstrating that universal design can be seamlessly integrated to create attractive and intuitive environments that are accessible to the widest group of empowered users.”
CIBC Aquatics Centre and Field House: The pool includes contrast tiling around the exterior and the diving boards and lifeguard chairs are in a different contrasting colour. Accessible mobility seating and enhanced seating is available at all ticket price levels. Photo Credit: Bob Gundu
CIBC Aquatics Centre and Field House: Decals on glazed exterior walls ensure full accessibility and strengthen the brand presence. Photo Credit: Bob Gundu
CIBC Aquatics Centre and Field House: The family change rooms provide flexibility by including different sized stalls and private fully accessible change rooms. The hair dryers are placed at different heights to accommodate everyone despite their height. The wide corridors can accommodate three mobility devices to allow patrons to move around each other undisturbed. Photo Credit: Bob Gundu