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UNITED Health & RecPlex – University of Winnipeg by Susan Pederson PHOTO : NUMBER TEN ARCHITECTURAL GROUP L ike many new projects, it began with a dream and a vision, a "big idea" to improve one small corner of the world. Once that idea caught wind, plan- ners, funders and community members ramped up its momentum. And soon, architects, designers and contractors were charged with creating the physi- cal embodiment of the dream. However, some might argue that, for a few brutally cold, record-breaking months last winter, the real heroes of The University of Winnipeg's (UW) new RecPlex was the construction crew that toiled through the worst winter experi- enced since 1898. "This sounds very cliché, but we could not have been successful with- out them. Their tenacity and willing- ness to work through that bitter cold is the only reason we are still achieving our schedule," says Jeff McKay of PCL Constructors Canada, construction manager on the project. Staff at UW showed their gratitude to the workers when they hosted a number of "come out of the cold" events, providing snacks and hot chocolate for the crew. A personal appearance and a thank you from UW's president and vice-chancellor Lloyd Axworthy under- scored how deeply the dedication of the crew was appreciated. "That speaks to the 'team' environment that we've established on this project, and helped to boost site morale," says McKay. PCL began to build that sense of team from the outset, by utilizing those who live closest to the campus for their labour force, even hiring a local area resident, who applied through the building site as they were in the midst of building. The move puts into play the new facility's role within the central Win- nipeg community. The three-storey, state-of-the-art RecPlex features indoor green space that can host myriad sports, including soccer, football, ultimate, baseball, wrestling, and track and field. It is also home to an expanded intramu- ral sports program for UW students, offers multi-purpose rooms for cultural and community events and includes a new indoor parkade. The facility addresses the chronic shortage of indoor recreational space in central Winnipeg, and is connected by skywalks to UW's existing Duckworth Centre on Spence Street. A Health and Healing Centre is located on the main f loor of the Duckworth Centre and will employ the expertise of athletic therapists, massage therapists, sports medicine practitioners and general physicians. Together, the RecPlex will serve as a hub of health and wellness to the student body, inner city community and general public. " PCL worked with the design team [Number TEN Architectural Group, Cro- sier Kilgour & Partners and SMS Engi- neering Ltd.] and the University project management team to rework several aspects of the project to achieve both the budget and programming constraints," says McKay. "There was a great team dynamic and some genuine creativity that went into making this happen." Creativity was called upon during the temporary bracing of the pre-engi- neered building while the concrete slab was constructed. Level one is a sus- pended slab with underground parkade below. Due to the tight perimeter of the site, PCL had to erect the pre-engineered building from within the footprint. "As we could not put cranes on the L1 slab, we had to erect the building prior to constructing this slab. In its final state, the slab ties the building together and resists lateral forces from wind and kickout from the roof beams. In order to erect the building without having the slab in place, we needed to resist those wind and kickout forces," adds McKay. The solution proved to be large diam- eter cables running laterally through the building between the columns and a number of deadmen at the column loca- tions, designed and certified by PCL's corporate engineering team in Edmon- ton. "It took a lot of work and planning up front, but was installed and executed without the slightest glitch," says McKay. Gabe Derksen, project architect with Number TEN Architectural Group, concurs that there were some unique challenges that went beyond the tight budget set out by the University. "Along with the complexity of the surrounding site requirements and the process involved, we had the existing Duckworth Centre to tie into; an exist- ing transit bus loop to be relocated; an existing private lane and pedestrian mall including fire department access to be maintained and the adjacent resi- dential community along Young Street at the edge of the downtown boundary to address," says Derksen. "Every face of the building really had a unique condi- tion to consider and respond to." The University's commitment to the community – that the facility be open and inviting to the programs and that everyone in the community will feel LOCATION 599 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba OWNER/DEVELOPER University of Winnipeg ARCHITECT Number TEN Architectural Group GENERAL CONTRACTOR PCL Constructors Canada Inc. STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd. MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT SMS Engineering Ltd. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT HTFC Planning & Design TOTAL SIZE (GFA) 15,668 square metres TOTAL COST $31.5 million they belong – drove the design develop- ment, and kept the design team focused on making this a multi-functional and f lexible building to serve the diverse needs of those who will come to see this as their special place. "As a dow ntow n campus, they wanted to have a good urban design, on a tight budget, but they also wanted to be a good neighbour," says Constantina Douvris, associate with HTFC Planning & Design. "The landscape design had to meet the needs of the community while also accommodating safety requirements. For example, the landscape had to allow for pedestrian access, but also be able to accommodate fire trucks if necessary." Connectivit y was also key when creating an attractive link between the west campus and east campus, and providing visual connections to the sur- rounding buildings. This was accom- plished using long, linear cast-in-place concrete walls, with built-in planting areas and spaces for sitting, and carry- ing the eye (and the pedestrians) from one area to the next. The modern design appeals to the youth attending the University, while responding to the practicalities of func- tioning within a busy downtown hub. But it's not all spit and polished modern design. Douvris's pet projects were the benches that have been created, under the direction of the University, out of salvaged heritage limestone, recycled timbers from one of the old campus buildings and old trees that have been removed during construction. "The University made a commitment to use these materials, and they have turned out to be unique features that are the jewels of the outdoor space," Douvris says. "It makes for a very special Univer- sity building," adds Derksen. "It's a space that will introduce many people to the campus for the first time, and a place where all University users have equal access and reasons to cross paths." n AUGUST 2014 /89 UNITED Health & RecPlex – University of Winnipeg