New community centre

All structural, electrical and mechanical engineering services for the new community centre were Group Eight's responsibility. The work included planning, detail design, project co-ordination, specifications, contract administration and field review.

The new 18,000 ft² facility includes an indoor pool, change facilities and meeting rooms. It was built as an extension to an existing school and it shares the school's power supply and fire alarm system.

The building design highlights exposed structure. Mechanical and electrical services were concealed through the creative use of bulkheads. The pool area features a high wood deck roof and plenty of windows at high and low levels to maximize natural daylight. The pool and basement were oriented within the building to minimize construction cost and impact of a former creek bed on the site.

In the pool area, a specialized aquatic sound system and utilization of indirect lighting was included in the electrical design. The building has a fully integrated security/access/control system.

The mechanical design included a sand-based pool filtration system, and hot water radiant panels, which were used in the change rooms.