Gillam Recreational Centre

Project Journey

The Gillam Recreational Centre Renovation and Expansion project consisted of a 2-storey steel and hollowcore framed addition comprising 19,000 sq ft of new boardrooms, a fitness centre, a children’s playground and a library as well as a central atrium space. An additional 7,500 sq ft addition framed with block walls and steel joists contained a change room and facilities management space. The project also included an extensive renovation to the approximately 63,000 sq ft original 2-storey pre-engineered building, including a gymnasium with stage, movie theatre, curling rink with attached lounge, a central viewing area and a hockey arena with walking track. The existing pre-engineered steel framed roof was reinforced to meet current snow-loading requirements and various structural modifications were made throughout to update the building and tie in the new additions. At the conclusion of the project, the centre was completely revitalized, creating a beautiful, modern multi-use space for the community.

Crosier Kilgour assisted the building owner and design team in developing the most appropriate structural system for the building to be both as economical and practical to construct as possible, as well as to provide the necessary durability characteristics to mitigate the long-term effects of harsh weather exposure and the intensive use of the building.

The building construction was on budget and on time, and within 1 month of completion when a construction-related fire caused extensive smoke and water damage to the renovated spaces; Crosier Kilgour worked closely with the general contractor and the fire restoration contractor to develop the most practical and rapid remediation and repair plan to minimize the delay in the final opening of the building.

The design was fully-electric, and comprised a distributed heat pump system with both ice plant and air-side heat recovery.  Commissioning was critical in getting the system operating per the design intent.

Crosier Kilgour provided structural engineering and building commissioning services on this innovative, community-focused project in Northern Manitoba.