Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/178290
orth Battleford, and its neighbour across the North Saskatchewan River, Battleford, are getting an arts, sports and recreational multiplex that will have something to offer just about everybody within the population it serves. Including the Battlefords and the surrounding area, that's about 25,000 people. The facility, which has four main buildings, includes a sixlane, 25-metre swimming pool, a sixlane curling rink, a sports ieldhouse and a 375-seat theatre. The original concept for the multipurpose facility, known as the Credit Union CU Plex, was for a large single building, but this was found to be a more costly option, says Keith Anderson, Parks and Recreation director for the City of North Battleford, which owns the building. Instead, it was found that allocating the diverse activities planned for the facility to four separate buildings provided better value and saved about $10 million. "That's partly because, irrespective of what you do, you're going to need three mechanical HVAC systems," says Steve Bushnell, a principal at Barr Ryder Architects & Interior Designers. RENDERINGS COURTESY CITY OF NORTH BATTLEFORD N Credit Union CU Plex by Godfrey Budd doors," he says. For events of this kind, use can be made of an outdoor concrete podium, he adds. The scope of the CU Plex and its range of activities are geared, it is hoped, to make it a focal point and vibrant centre for the Battlefords and surrounding areas. "The intention is for the multiplex to be a cultural and recreational hearts of the community," says Bushnell. Each of the four buildings has features that are common to and distinct from its neighbours within the complex. The theatre combines modernity with conservative elements. Cladding for the front part includes aluminum panels, stone and concrete. Another part also includes wood accents. "All the buildings use these materials, but in different combinations," says Bushnell. The building for the pool includes lots of glazing for natural light and composite metal siding for the exterior, and wood sof its and glulam wood beams at the entrance. Construction began on the pool building in September 2010. "We installed the pool with foundation, then proceeded with the shell of the building. But parts of the Multiplexes, typically several buildings in one, have been around for decades, Bushnell notes. But, on the CU Plex project, the potential for savings resulted in a concept of organizing four separate buildings around a common area. "Around the space, a public square, each building has its own individual identity, with common aspects in terms of architectural edge. A common wall runs through all the buildings. It creates a visual edge for the square, and provides a sense of unity. It also creates a boundary between the public space, the square and the buildings," says Bushnell. Credit Union CU Plex p.86-89Credit Union CUplex.indd 87 Money was also saved by not constructing a central spine for the buildings. In many respects, the outdoor public space seems to be an alternative to a central spine and potentially larger indoor common area. "The public space is the ifth programmable space, and a place for events, perhaps a beer garden if the ieldhouse has a trade show, or it could be used as an outdoor dining garden, and so on," says Bushnell. But the key, he says, is that the public square is part of the design. "For instance, the theatre opens out to the square, so you can have outdoor performances, using large, special partition APRIL 2012 /87 3/26/12 3:06:09 PM