Guildford Aquatic Centre

As the population in Surrey, British Columbia continues to grow at impressive rates, the City saw a pressing need to upgrade its existing recreation centre in Guildford. This new recreation and therapeutic aquatic venue would serve a larger and more diverse community, while also having capacity to host competitive events and provide integral training spaces for swimming, water polo and other aquatic sports.

The existing recreational centre was to remain fully operational during construction. Programming requirements included a new FINA-certified 50m lap pool, a leisure pool, 300 seats for spectators, a pedestrian bridge, and an underground parkade. The fitness centre, lobby and administrative spaces would also be increased.

The design team came up with a cast-in-place concrete facility to expand the building footprint, proposing a “magic box” concept, whereby the dark precast concrete exterior acted in tension with the white pearl and dancing light of the new natatorium interior. Working in close collaboration with the design-builders Structure Craft, Fast + Epp developed a fully prefabricated laminated strand lumber truss system which was installed in record time.