Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/833835
84 | J UNE 2017 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CITY OF CALGARY Rocky Ridge Recreation Facility Ripley's favourite part of the building is something most people won't even see. "I love the physical size of the mechanical room and air handing units. Most people don't get to see the mechanics of a building that size. The amount of mechanical to make the building function is quite incredible compared to our other facilities." Joe Pede, director, infrastructure engineering – Western Canada at SNC- Lavalin, says, "The architects really did not want to see the mechanical services exposed. The pools' high humidity requires its own atmosphere, while the gymnasium and hockey rinks systems are considerably different than the other spaces, which all require their own climate control." RRRF will also boast a combined heat power unit (co-generation), which produces electricity on site and uses the by-product of heating as a boiler supplement. Maintaining lighting consistency in such an open space also required some creativity and forward planning. Kevin Showalter, associate, electrical consultant with SMP Engineering explains, "Each space needs different light levels. It was a tall task to get the project within the budget, align with the architectural vision, and meet required performance from an engineering perspective. We went through a bunch of iterations until we came up with a solution that looks great and everyone is happy with." The facility will house 90 percent LED lighting and occupancy lighting controls throughout, plus a wireless control system for ceiling fixtures. "When we started the project we knew it was going to be a three or four year endeavour. We wanted to make sure we weren't designing with dated technology when it opened, so we tried to catch the latest technology. The wireless application made sense," Showalter adds. RRRF is tucked between an existing hill that reaches Calgary's highest natural elevation and a reconstructed wetland. "The landscape has taken a naturalized approach, utilizing a native foothills plant palette of larch, white spruce, poplar and trembling aspen, planted in groves as they would grow naturally. Native shrub planting of wild rose, snowberry and willows, as well as native grass seed mixes complete this native plant palette," adds landscape architect, and project designer Alisha Gorda, of Scatliff+Miller+Murray Inc. The reconstructed wetland was designed with the aid of biologists, designed to support the cultivation of future native wetland species, which will provide a naturalized esthetic to stormwater management. The non-irrigated site will utilize bioswales in the parking lots and other water collection systems. "My favourite part of the site is the part we touched the least, the pre-existing naturalized knoll. We made the knoll accessible via granular trails; in the spring silvery lupines and other wildflowers can be found growing within the grasses and the scent they give off is one experience not to miss," says Gorda. "When it is completed, you will be able wander through the building from one entry to the other, and it's just part of your walk. It is that well integrated into the landscape, and is designed to be accessible to both users and non- users of the facility," adds Ripley. A Master Pools is a proud construction partner at the Rocky Ridge Recreation Facility 604-551-7127 604-307-1430 info@mkt.ca www.mkt.ca Project Management development group MKT Development Group.indd 1 2017-05-05 9:24 HONOURED TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE ROcky RIDgE REcREaTION FacILITy FM35206.indd 1 2017-05-01 9:27 AM Tel: 403-275-1418 | Fax: 403-275-1433 | www.donalco.com Proud to be a Supplier and Installer of Fireproofing Materials on the Rocky Ridge Recreation Facility project. FM35258.indd 1 2017-05-17 3:44 PM