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AUGUST 2018 | 79 Conklin Multiplex RENDERINGS COURTESY STANTEC ARCHITECTURE LTD. Conklin Multiplex by ROBIN BRUNET LOCATION 244 Northland Drive, Conklin, Alberta OWNER/DEVELOPER Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo ARCHITECT Stantec Architecture Ltd. GENERAL CONTRACTOR Bird Construction STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT RJC Engineers MECHANICAL CONSULTANT Arrow Engineering Inc. ELECTRICAL/CIVIL CONSULTANT AECOM LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT O2 Planning + Design Inc. TOTAL SIZE 85,000 square feet TOTAL COST $43.8 million U ndeniably, the Conklin Multiplex project has faced more than its fair share of challenges since 2012 – from unexpected site conditions to devastating wildfires that delayed construction and threatened the con- tinuation of this multi-use facility. But it's also undeniable that thanks to the perseverance of its owners and a strong alliance of architects, build- ers, and other trades, that the facility (as of July 2018) is almost complete. Once finished, it will serve a variety of vital resident needs in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), four hours north of Edmonton. The building was designed by Stantec Architecture Ltd. as a holis- tic community hub with space to accommodate a gymnasium, arena, fit- ness centre, commercial community kitchen, administrative offices, com- munity hall, lease spaces, an RCMP detachment, classrooms/multi-pur- pose rooms, maintenance garage, nurse's office, and daycare/child-mind- ing. To meet outdoor recreational needs, the facility also includes sports fields, recreation areas, a playground, baseball diamond, and horseshoe pits. Brian Bengert, senior principal for Stantec Architecture Ltd., notes that the design process was initiated by Architecture | Tkalcic Bengert, which became part of Stantec in 2016. The project is located "on a selected site in the core of Conklin, on a decommis- sioned airstrip," Bengert says. "The building and site design were based upon providing an excellent social hub for the community of Conklin and sur- rounding areas, while facilitating the current and future programs of the various partners and stakeholders." Bengert goes on to note that the final design was "comprised of a pre- ferred option that resulted from studies of the site, the community's needs, and the program required by Conklin. The design established an exciting, interesting siting and building solution, which enhances the neigh- bourhood. The project also serves as an example of the RMWB's ongoing commitment to sustainability and best urban design practices." While fulfilling a multitude of pro- gram needs, Stantec Architecture Ltd. provided many architectural flour- ishes to the 85,000-square-foot facility. One of the most notable is a massive, nine-metre tall inverted semi-circular steel-framed cone with full glazing that is set into the building's face. The cone is flanked by a gently sloping wall that becomes a spectacular, indented steel- framed triangular arch, which runs the length of the face, providing more nat- ural light through further glazing. With form following function, the interiors were designed as a mix of open spaces (such as the gym/fitness area) and various closed studio, class- room, and community multi-purpose spaces. While the second floor is slightly smaller, an abundance of outdoor bal- conies provides connections with the outdoors and additional usable space. Partial delays were caused dur- ing site excavation (supervised by Bird Construction) due to the discov- ery of a forgotten landfill site. Once the

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