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AUGUST 2015 | 69 Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) – University of Victoria PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CANNON DESIGN Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) – University of Victoria by JESSICA KIRBY T he Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) prom- ises to bring the University of Victoria (UVic) to the forefront of promoting an active and healthy lifestyle for its stu- dents and the wider community. The 190,000-square-foot project is the University's �irst new athletics and recreation building in 40 years, and will support excellence for the UVic Vikes varsity sports and recreation programs, as well as of�ices, labs and a machine shop for CanAssist – UVic's program that develops technologies, programs and services for people living with disabilities. Stepping beyond the campus, CARSA is also a regional draw, where people can attend varsity games and use the facility through a paid com- munity membership. David Perr y, director of capital development for UVic, says the building is designed and constructed targeting LEED Gold in keeping with the Univer- sity's commitment to demonstrating leadership in sustainability. "The design includes technologies to reduce water consumption by 40 per cent, and the building derives half of the total energy required for heating and cooling by means of a geothermal system that will save emissions by 340 tonnes annually," Perry says. "This is the �irst geothermal system on campus." The Peninsula Co-op Climbing Centre, which includes a 16-metre climbing wall with 216.54 square metres of climbable area and the adjacent 163-metre boul- dering area, is visible upon entering CARSA and acts as a signature feature of the building. The climbing wall is enclosed in a 25-metre atrium. Besides being a focal point, the climbing tower acts as a chimney-like component of the mechanical system, drawing warm air and exhausting it at the top of the tower. The building has no air-conditioning – the interior is natu- rally ventilated through a low-volume system and a series of louvres. Greg Kensick, architect and con- struction administration leader with Cannon Design, says CARSA's unique offering is an inclusive, one-of-a-kind facility. The design brightens and opens the space with generous glazing which, in conjunction with LED lighting, results in a progressive, energy-ef�icient light- ing scheme where natural daylighting contributes heavily, helping the spaces �low together. Covering a large area over the �ield house, which is the size of three ice rinks, and the 2,100-seat gymnasium is a composite steel and glulam structure. The project incorporates B.C. wood, which adds to the character of those two big spaces. "Both the gym and the �ield house have a band of polycarbonate glaz- ing, which lets in diffused light," says Kensick. "Naturally, when you are play- ing sports there is some concern with direct sunlight. Polycarb has been used on those two big facilities, and the rest have ample windows." Kingspan Panels on the gym and �ield house exterior have a copper �in- ish, while those on the climbing tower expose a white surface that �its within the context of a vertical element. At the workout area, on the lower of two sto- reys between the �ield house and gym, the building is clad with white com- posite panels including intermittent strips of pearl accent, and at grade, grey Swisspearl panels have been utilized to add colour. LOCATION 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, B.C. OWNER/DEVELOPER University of Victoria ARCHITECT Cannon Design GENERAL CONTRACTOR Campbell Construction Ltd. STRUCTURAL/ ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT WSP Group MECHANICAL CONSULTANT AME Consulting Group SUSTAINABLE DESIGN CONSULTANT Avalon Mechanical Consultants Ltd. GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANT Thurber Engineering Ltd. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Lombard Group North TOTAL SIZE 190,000 square feet TOTAL COST $77 million (building and adjacent parkade)

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