4 ConEd Learning Hours
8:30 am - 12:30 pm
The Walker Sports and Abilities Centre at Canada Games Park (WSAC) and Neil Campbell Rowing Centre (NCRC), two key venues of the 2022 Canada Summer Games, have become important legacy athletic facilities in the Niagara Region. Both were designed to serve as locations for elite tournaments, year-round training centres for athletes, as well as amenities for community recreation. This tour will give an overview of the respective design approaches and technical considerations that influenced the development of both facilities.
At the WASC, the tour will give a closer look at how the multi-use facility balances the needs of the varying stakeholders occupying the facility. At the NCRC, the tour will provide details on how the facility’s structure, form, and materiality played an integral role in crafting its visual identity, as well as achieving Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC’s) Zero Carbon Building Certification.
Learning Objectives
- Learn about the design principles and considerations that were applied to the two projects to transform them into legacy athletic facilities after the 2022 Canada Summer Games.
- Understand the architectural decisions and strategies employed to create versatile and inclusive sports facilities.
- Understand how the stakeholder engagement process for the WASC resulted in clear project principles, directing the development of a multi-use facility for Niagara Region and Brock University.
- Explore how the Neil Campbell Rowing Centre utilized its structure, form, and materiality to shape its visual identity. Additionally, understand how these elements contributed to achieving the Zero Carbon Building Certification from the CaGBC.
Tyler Walker, Principal
MJMA Architecture & Design
A principal at MJMA, Tyler brings thoughtfulness and rigour to every project, balancing simplicity, functionality, and attention to materials to realize the aspirations of the communities with whom he works. Tyler believes the primary aim of design should be furthering human well-being, and his focus at MJMA has been the research and advancement of sustainability–in particular, mass timber structures. He has a wide-ranging portfolio that encompasses community, recreation, and campus architecture, with recent examples including the Churchill Meadows Community Centre in Mississauga, and the Neil Campbell Rowing Centre in Port Dalhousie.
Emilio Raimondo, President
Raimondo + Associates Architects Inc.
Emilio brings award-winning design and more than 30 years of experience as a respected and reputable architect working in the Niagara Peninsula. Passionate about architecture and his community, he has clear knowledge of the processes of construction. Emilio is an excellent and well- organized communicator and has been involved in complex projects, with the proven ability to deliver them on time and on budget to the satisfaction of his clients. The firm and its team share in Emilio’s philosophy and this has resulted in the creation of unique buildings of quality and individual character that are notable in Niagara.
Robert Allen, Partner
MJMA Architecture & Design
Robert has led a variety of key public projects at MJMA over the past 25 years, helping define the role of community-based buildings in Canada. Rob has dedicated his career to sport and recreation architecture, with a unique expertise in the multi-use recreation facility (MURF) project typology. His projects are recognized as models for a new form of hybrid community recreation buildings that bring together different user groups under one roof, integrating interior and exterior wellness programs, and creating true community hubs. An experienced architect, his work demonstrates technical excellence and sensitivity to issues of landscape and sustainability. He has taken a lead role in many of MJMA’s most complex projects, including the Walker Sports and Abilities Centre at Canada GamesPark.