July 17, 2019

Toronto – The Cor Van Raay YMCA has opened at ATB Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta. This large recreational facility designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects provides the community with a comprehensive range of services and amenities, including some that were previously unavailable in the region.

An architecture of integration allows for connection and transparency throughout the 240,000-sq-ft YMCA. An expansive central lobby unites different activity areas including a six-gym field house, children’s program areas, and the aquatics facility.

“The design intent was to create a community destination, one that is welcoming to all, with a wealth of amenity,” said Jarle Lovlin, principal, Diamond Schmitt.

The Cor Van Raay YMCA is the third largest in North America and public consultation informed the choice of features. These include the aquatics centre with two waterslides, a surf simulator, climbing wall, lane pool, lazy river, tots spray area, whirlpool and zero depth entry gentle wave pool.

The fitness area overlooks the aquatics centre in the two-storey structure. There is a multi-sport field house, gymnasiums, an indoor track, multi-purpose rooms and physiotherapy and restaurant space. Children’s amenities include a licensed daycare, child minding, youth room and indoor playground. Program areas provide views of the prairies and peaks of the Rocky Mountains on the horizon.

This $110–million project is Phase 2 of the ATB Centre and connects with Phase 1 which has two NHL-sized ice surfaces and a ten-sheet curling facility. A robust material palette is employed to stand the test of time. In the opening few weeks, the Y has seen more than 65,000 visitors.

Diamond Schmitt has completed numerous recreational facilities and has two YMCA projects under construction currently, at SmartCentres Place at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, and Waterworks, a mixed-use building in downtown Toronto.