Canmore Recreation Centre Redevelopment

The Canmore Recreation Centre has long been one of the town’s most important gathering places—a home for hockey, fitness, celebrations, and everyday moments.

By 2019, the 1983 facility had was reaching the end of its original life cycle. The Town of Canmore asked us to help renew it for the next generation, with a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and flexibility, all while keeping the building open to the community.

We approached the redevelopment as a careful balance: respecting what already worked, modernizing what no longer did, and finding opportunities for new life in unexpected places. The former hockey training gym was reimagined as a community fitness space; a redundant kitchen gave way to new multi-purpose studios; and an overlooked upper-level area became an event room overlooking both rinks—instantly one of the most memorable spaces in the facility.

At the heart of the project was a commitment to accessibility and comfort. A brighter, more welcoming lobby now anchors the building, complete with universal washrooms and improved wayfinding. Behind the scenes, major upgrades—including a low-charge ammonia refrigeration plant, refreshed building envelope, and more robust mechanical systems—set the centre up for long-term performance and energy efficiency.

Today, the Canmore Recreation Centre stands as a renewed civic landmark: a resilient, modern place built to support connection, wellness, and belonging for years to come.