təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre

New Westminster’s new aquatics and community centre is named təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre, a hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word for ‘sea otter house’, after an animal that conjures up images of playfulness and joyfulness. The new centre will replace the aging Canada Games Pool and Centennial Community Centre with a combined 10,684 sq. m. state-of-the-art facility.

The centre includes a four-pool aquatic centre with sauna and steam rooms, universal washrooms and change rooms, a fitness centre, gymnasia, community rooms, licensed childcare, administrative offices, and generous new plazas and green spaces.

The new facility, designed for a LEED Gold green building certification, will be the first aquatic centre to achieve the Canadian Green Building Council Zero Carbon Building certification, aiming for a 90% reduction in GHG emissions and eliminating fossil fuel emissions completely.

The need for a clear span across the 50m lap pool dictated a long span steel truss solution. The north facing sawtooth roof allows for natural daylight and passive ventilation into the pool, with the sawtooth profile created by spanning CLT panels between the steel truss chords. The architectural vision for a seamless CLT soffit was realized by hanging the CLT panels from the truss bottom chord, resulting in design that integrated structure, architecture, and sustainability.

The new facility incorporates the important principles of accessibility, sustainability and community connection. The spaces have been designed to be flexible and accommodate a wide variety of activities that can adapt over time as community needs and priorities change.