An innovative facility and inclusive environment for users with the widest range of physical and developmental abilities.
Designed to serve as both a community facility and as the Parapan venue for Judo and Boccia in the Parapan component of the upcoming Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, Abilities Centre allows people of all ages and abilities to take part in physical activity and recreation. Centred on sport and fitness, Abilities Centre features fully equipped, universally accessible cardio/fitness, weight, and sensory rooms, an indoor, six-lane IAAF 200-metre track and three full-regulation basketball courts. In addition, the facility provides meeting and conference rooms, as well as a performing arts area, all designed with universal requirements in mind. Created with respect, understanding, cooperation, innovation and education as core values, Abilities Centre also includes an accessible, furnished apartment, designed to assist with training in skills to support autonomous living.
A new community landmark, the building’s dramatic field house massing is based on an extruded partial parabola supported by three-dimensional trusses on a 10-metre grid. As a showcase of sustainable design practices, Abilities Centre also helps to promote a more sustainable community. Storm water is managed on-site through a series of storm water ponds, while the building’s roof material is a white membrane designed to reduce heat absorption. The facility focuses on controllability of systems, thermal comfort and access to daylight, with Solera Glass used on two facades of the field house to distribute natural light deeply and evenly into the interior space. Landscaping includes a sensory garden, an open plaza to support outdoor public events and a field of indigenous perennial flowers.
The Centre was recently honoured with an Award of Distinction in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) / International Paralympic Committee (IPC) / International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) Architectural Prizes 2013.
Note: Abilities Centre is located in Whitby, ON. Unforuntately, due to a limitation of Architizer's upload system, we are currently unable to enter the correct location.
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