A new recreation center in Burnaby, British Columbia, is challenging the traditional approach to ice arena design by incorporating mass timber construction and natural light to create a warmer, more welcoming community space. The Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre, designed by local firm HCMA Architecture + Design, deliberately breaks away from the "dated model" of typical ice arenas that are often cold, windowless, and built with steel frames.
The 8,547-square-meter facility houses two National Hockey League-sized ice rinks along with various community amenities. Located in the emerging Southgate community near Vancouver, the center was named in honor of Rosemary Brown, a Canadian politician and longtime advocate for social justice and equality. According to the design team, "The recreation centre embodies her legacy, standing as a place for all Burnaby residents to gather, play and compete."
The building features an angular form with a faceted roof and is primarily clad in standing-seam black metal panels. Its L-shaped layout places the two ice rinks on either side of a central multi-purpose "lobby" area. This non-traditional arrangement was necessitated by the site's compact footprint but creates beneficial openness between different zones and forms what the studio describes as a "friendly, animated elevation" along the street.
Wood plays a central role in the building's structural system and aesthetic character. The design team used glue-laminated beams and columns throughout the lobby area, which are visible to passersby through large windows. Nail-laminated timber was selected for the lobby's decking, while a hybrid steel-and-timber system supports the roof structure. This combination enabled the complex geometry needed for north-facing clerestories that bring natural light into the interior spaces.
Inside the ice rinks, walls are constructed with painted drywall and acoustic metal decking. The flooring combines polished concrete with skate-proof rubber surfaces, and the ceiling features long-format LED lighting fixtures. Beyond the two main rinks, the facility includes viewing areas, multipurpose rooms, concessions, a skate shop, and flexible spaces for activities like yoga and pilates. Numerous changing rooms accommodate players and visitors.
The interior design employs a color palette of white and gray accented with energizing touches of red. Accessibility and inclusivity were prioritized throughout the design process, with features extending to "every aspect of the facility." These elements include Braille signage, wide circulation paths, high-contrast wayfinding systems, and accessible, gender-neutral washrooms and changing rooms. The ice rinks are also equipped to accommodate sledge hockey, a form of ice hockey designed for players with physical disabilities.
Paul Fast, a principal at HCMA, emphasized that the center represents more than just an ice arena. "It's a space designed to foster community," Fast explained. "The Centre's ambition is to become an essential fixture in Burnaby's Southgate community, supporting the next generation of athletes, weekend warriors and recreation enthusiasts alike."
The project represents part of HCMA's broader portfolio of innovative public buildings in British Columbia. The firm has previously completed a Vancouver school using mass timber construction that serves as a pilot project for the city's public school district, as well as an all-electric aquatic center designed for people of all abilities. The Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre stands as another example of how thoughtful design can transform utilitarian sports facilities into vibrant community hubs.
