Award

M A R C H 2 0 2 2 | 63 Royal Glenora Club Modernization R EN D ER I N GS CO U RT E S Y ROYA L G L EN O R A C LU B ROYAL GLENORA CLUB MODERNIZATION by NATALIE BRUCKNER T he Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton has gained a repu- tation for training provincial, national, and world champions in skating and racquet sports, including Kurt Browning, Ben Ferreira, Cody Hay, and Michael Slipchuk. But it's so much more than that. The family-oriented athletic and social club is a place its members call home and are extremely proud of. It is also one of Edmonton's most iconic venues for special events due to its reputation and setting in the beautiful River Valley. Originally built in 1959 and opened in 1961, the Club has under- gone various upgrades over the years, but nothing quite as extensive and impressive as its latest $41-million modernization – truly placing it on the map of not just Alberta, but Canada. "In 2014, the Royal Glenora Club [RGC] approached the bank to borrow funds for use towards much needed mechanical, electrical, and structural improvements. It was determined that the financial institutions would be more favourable to loaning funds if the Club considered pursuing a more com- prehensive Master Plan rather than just addressing infrastructure defi- ciencies," explains Bob Walker, chair of the RGC Redevelopment Committee and long-time RGC member. Following a member needs' sur- vey in 2016, RGC contracted Kennedy Architecture to provide conceptual designs for members to consider – and in November 2018 RGC members voted to proceed with the spending resolution for the Club's first major redevelopment in many decades. Due to the untimely passing of the principal of Kennedy Architecture, the design development was trans- ferred to Arc Studio who came onboard at first to perform a program analysis. "It was a chance to better understand what areas were in need of modernization and how better to serve the members and the public," explains Stephen Boyd, principal at Arc Studio. While the design team received extensive and valuable input from membership, management, and industry consultants, Walker says that there were limitations on what could be constructed "as it had to be con- structed within the original building footprint, with important logistical and permit considerations due to its location along the river valley." It was determined that the project would be constructed in two phases, all the while keeping the Club open: the first phase, that included a new fitness studio, was completed in the summer of 2020; and the second phase, which included new lockers, dining, bar, administration, child minding, and a new gymnasium, is scheduled to be completed summer 2022. Carlson Construction was con- tracted to provide full construction management services and was involved from the early onset of the project assisting with design and con- structability, value engineering, and cost budgeting. Demolition began of the existing high solid masonry walls of the Club, which would allow the addition of a new ballroom and gymnasium using full height exterior glass – this in and of itself creates the most spectacular change to the appearance of the Club. Both members and management worked closely alongside the archi- tect to ensure the Club would retain a connection to its storied past, but that it would be modernized in a way that would complement its location and offer members of all ages a complete approach to sports and wellness. "Some of the original glulam had been covered up over the years, so we wanted to bring that back to life and really showcase it. For the new portions of the Club we took those out- side wood elements in, and designed what is essentially a glass box around the south elevation. This floor-to-ceil- ing glazing really is something else – it brings light streaming into the build- ing, allows visitors outside the Club to see the beautiful sloped ceiling inside, and exposes views to the River Valley. It totally changes the appearance of the club," says Boyd. It was decided that the Club should have two main entrances: a member's drop off entry that takes them to the main reception desk; and adjacent to that, a new entry for non-members and visitors with a dedicated staircase and elevator that takes them up to the ballrooms. Heading inside, this nod to the past can be seen throughout; from the wood roof structure that

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