Dunnville Arena Expansion

Invizij Architects was commissioned by Maple Creek Leisure – a local group, to provide schematic design services for an addition to the Dunnville Memorial Arena. The existing arena, which was designed by Garwood-Jones & Hanham Architects (Invizij Architects predecessor) and completed in 2011, was designed to allow for the expansion of a second ice surface. However, with other aging recreational infrastructure, the community priorities shifted to also incorporate an indoor pool with outdoor splash pad, gymnasium, and fitness center.

Of primary importance for the group was that the project could be phased, to allow for them to develop it as funding became available, and user-group need increased. The proposed design integrated a new primary entrance for improved wayfinding between the various programes. The pool incorporated a lap, leisure, and whirlpool to accommodate a broad user base, with viewing areas from the lobby and the second floor fitness center. A multi-court gymnasium with retractable spectator seating allows for an array of activities, including basketball and volleyball. Centralized changerooms provide facilities for both the pool and the gymnasium users. While this phase did not include an additional ice surface, site and schematic design were done to ensure that the future expansion phase to two ice surfaces would be cohesive with the design.