Construction had begun on the Halifax Common Aquatic Facility.
The work of leading recreation and aquatic facility designer MJMA, in collaboration with local firms Abbott Brown Architects and Brackish Design Studio, the design focuses on creating a facility that enhances and integrates with the surrounding park setting.
Every area of this new facility will be fully accessible.
The new pool will feature a sloped, beach-style entry, as well as a barrier free lift to allow safe access for users of all abilities. The six-foot deep end will contain roped-off swimming lanes for lap swimmers and aquatic climbing walls. The pool will have the capacity for 450 bathers and the total area of the water surface will be 13,500-square feet. An exterior water plaza, and spray features will provide additional entertainment for users of all ages.
The change room building will contain universal (gender neutral) change rooms and washrooms. The washroom facilities will be situated so they can be accessed by all visitors to the Common. Large overhangs on the facility building will provide shade and shelter for pool users, summer camp groups and park patrons.
The new pavilion building will contain a community room with a kitchenette and a barrier free washroom. It will also house a modular stage that can be set up either indoors or outside to facilitate a variety of performances.
A key feature of the facility buildings will be a nail-laminated timber (NLT) roof. Constructed from lumber placed on its edge and mechanically fastened together, NLT involves minimal waste, is fire resistant, and is very carbon-efficient when compared to other roof deck systems. It requires little maintenance, which is aimed at reducing operating costs over time. This exposed wood, used both inside and outside, is an important aspect of the park-like spirit of the facility.
The project is targeting net zero and will use solar photovoltaic panels to help reduce energy consumption.
The new facility will be easily accessed by people walking or cycling and include a tree grove to enhance the availability of natural shade. The park space will be enhanced with pathways, tables, and benches.
Having collaborated with Abbott Brown Architects to deliver the Zatzman Sportsplex Revitalization, Marco is pleased to renew this partnership for the construction of yet another key recreation facility in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). “It was a pleasure to work with Abbott Brown on the Sportsplex and we look forward to collaborating with them to deliver this much-needed project,” says Marco President Allan MacIntosh.
The project will aim to employ individuals traditionally under represented in the construction industry: women, recent immigrants, visible minorities, African Canadians, Mi’kmaw, persons of low-income, LGBTQ+ and youth.
The new pool will open for use in the summer of 2023.
