Award

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 75 COALDALE PRAIRIE WINDS SECONDARY SCHOOL AND SHIFT RECREATION CENTRE by NATALIE BRUCKNER T he construction of the new Coaldale Prairie Winds Secondary School and the Shift Recreation Centre represents a landmark development for the town of Coaldale, Alberta. This project addresses the town's rapid popula- tion growth and serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between educational and municipal insti- tutions. The 145,000-square-foot joint facility is a blend of func- tionality, modern design, and community-oriented features. "This project was a collabora- tion between Palliser School Division and the Town of Coaldale," explains Dave Driscoll, superintendent at Palliser School Division. "Both par- ties met early on to collaborate on how to address rapidly growing enrol- ment numbers. Those discussions led to some creative solutions and visions for how to serve the students and the residents of the community by shar- ing resources and ultimately creating a space that was more than just a school and a recreation centre; it is a community hub that is central to the cultural fabric of the community." The facility stands on a robust foundation of cast-in-place piles and grade beams, with a structural steel superstructure complemented by mass timber elements. The exte- rior finishes are a harmonious mix of aluminum and glass curtain walls, masonry, fibre cement pan- els, and metal cladding, designed to achieve LEED Silver Certification for energy efficiency and sustainability. Jesse Potrie, architect at FWBA Architects, explains, "On the recreation centre, we used corru- gated metal cladding, while on the school, we applied split-face block veneer with metal corrugated clad- ding to tie the two together." The primary structure of the school is a single-storey building, with a second-floor mezzanine dedi- cated to mechanical, electrical, and the control booth for the black box theatre. The school includes cutting- edge classrooms, learning commons, a gymnasium, library, and special- ized Career and Technology Studies (CTS) spaces, all designed to foster an optimal learning environment. Driscoll highlights the community- driven design process: "Palliser School Division really listened to students and community members regard- ing the features they wanted to see in a school. Students said the arts were important and accordingly the school features the black box theatre, music, and art rooms. Career technology was also important, and the school will have state-of-the-art shop class- rooms, a commercial kitchen, as well as a cosmetology lab. Collaboration spaces were also important, so the building features modular designs that can be used for breakout spaces for smaller groups to learn in." Jesse Potrie emphasizes the significance of the joint facil- ity: "The highlight of the school is its interconnection with the rec centre. Combining the two pro- vides numerous opportunities for extracurricular activities, com- munity events, and sports teams." This integration also ensures that the school and recreation centre can operate independently while seamlessly supporting large-scale events and activities when needed. The recreation centre in contrast is a multi-use facility designed again with the community's diverse needs in mind. It features an indoor soccer/ lacrosse field, a multi-sport court, a squash court, a weight room, a day- care, and a food catering facility that serves both the school and commu- nity events. An elevated 200-metre running track is a standout feature, offering a year-round fitness option and the largest of its kind in the area. The daycare is equipped with both indoor and outdoor play spaces, ensuring a safe and engaging envi- ronment for children. The indoor play structure is a massive two-storey structure. Additionally, the facility has a large community room for clubs and events, complete with change rooms and washrooms, as well as the aforementioned commercial kitchen that doubles as a teaching kitchen for students. Potrie explains, "Students might learn on the small appliances before moving onto commercial grade ones. We've achieved this in another project in Medicine Hat where students cooked the food for the event, led by staff, using real equip- ment they'd use in the workforce." One of the critical aspects of this project was the close collaboration between the Town of Coaldale, Palliser School Division, and FWBA Architects. "We had worked with both own- ers previously and so when we came together it was a natural fit for us. We were familiar with both the town and the school division," Potrie says. Ward Bros. Construction, the con- struction manager, expressed their excitement to be part of this sig- nificant project. They highlighted the advanced construction meth- ods and materials used, ensuring a durable and sustainable build. When it came to naming the school, Driscoll explains that Palliser School Division asked for help from the Coaldale School Community. "The guidelines were that the school would not be named after a person, and respondents were encouraged to incorporate geographic features or natural elements in the name. We received over 40 great suggestions. A committee made up of school prin- cipals, school council chairs, Board Trustees, and a representative from the Town Council was tasked with choosing a finalist. The commit- tee was unanimous that 'Coaldale' should appear in the name. The Board of Trustees reviewed the short- listed names and chose Coaldale Prairie Winds Secondary School." Coaldale Secondary School, set to open for the 2024/2025 school year, will now be able to accommodate 855 students from grades 7 to 12. It's a project that not only addresses the immediate needs of the growing pop- ulation, but also sets a benchmark for future developments in the region. A LOCATION 2112 21st Street, Coaldale, Alberta OWNER /DEVELOPER The Palliser School Division ARCHITECT FWBA Architects CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Ward Bros. Construction STRUCTUR AL /CIVIL CONSULTANT ISL Engineering and Land Services MECHANICAL CONSULTANT The HIDI Group ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT SMP Engineering TOTAL SIZE 145,000 square feet TOTAL COST $41.3 million R EN D ER I N GS CO U RT E S Y F W BA A RC H I T EC T S Coaldale Prairie Winds Secondary School and Shift Recreation Centre

• Cover