Originally built in 1972 as the Cawthra Arena, the Carmen Corbasson Community Centre underwent its first expansion by Diamond Schmitt in 2000. The most recent 43,000 sf addition introduces new amenities, all nestled adjacent to a mature deciduous forest.

The design takes advantage of this park-like setting to connect with the natural surroundings with a transparent volume that brings sunlight into the interior, creating a ‘Pavilion in the Forest’.

While the original structure linked the centre’s gymnasium to the forest through double-height glazing, the formerly blank east façade presented a new opportunity. This area now houses the natatorium and fitness programs, arranged in a simple, clear volume that offers uninterrupted transparency—deepening the building’s relationship with its natural surroundings.

The new design draws from the language of the existing structure—its sequence of forms and the rhythm of brick planes, interrupted by moments of glazing that maximize views and natural light—to create a seamless connection between old and new in both form and materiality.

Entering the building is a dynamic experience: from the entry canopy, visitors move through a glazed vestibule into a naturally lit, double-height lobby. The original timber roof structure has been replicated and extended, creating a unifying circulation spine that seamlessly connects old and new amenities and provides intuitive wayfinding.

At the heart of the expansion is the natatorium—a simple rectangular volume defined by a mass timber structure that brings a warm yet light order within the space. Glulam columns along the east façade support beams stretching east to west, topped with a cross laminated timber roof deck that diffuses acoustic resonance.

Transparency and daylighting foster an open, inviting atmosphere that encourages patrons to partake in other activities throughout the facility. The mass timber fitness room offers direct pool views, while windows along the east-west corridor connect users to other program areas. Clear glazing along the lower portion of the natatorium at water level make the relationship with the adjacent forest clear, while also allowing passersby a glimpse at the activity within.

Responding to the contemporary needs of the neighbourhood, the renovation and expansion of the Carmen Corbasson Community Centre offers a more comprehensive and accessible space, revitalizing its presence in the community.