Shaping the mind, heart and body are the educational vision of Collège Notre-Dame, which advocates a well-rounded education to prepare students to contribute positively to society. Given the significant increase in student numbers over the past few decades, the installations made it difficult for the institution to maintain its curriculum focused on a strong presence of sports and cultural activities in the daily lives of students. The construction of a new athletic and cultural centre offered a unique opportunity to create a tool to promote the various physical and cultural activities offered at Collège Notre-Dame. With this aim in mind, the new building is located in the heart of the campus.
The double gymnasiums as well as the locker rooms are positioned below the main pedestrian walkways, at the level of the Jacques Gauthier sports field. An athletics track, on the periphery of the gymnasiums, allows students to practise in a protected environment while enjoying the landscape qualities of the site. Multifunctional platforms are positioned at both ends of the facility and also contribute to the diversification of the spaces offered to teachers and students. On the second floor, multi-purpose rooms allow for various activities such as dance, theatre, fencing and more.
This project was more than a simple architectural response to a given program. We wanted to propose a project that could have a positive impact on the daily lives of students. As much for those who were already involved in the extracurricular activities offered as for those who were not, or those who were involved in sports or activities that were less popular, less visible and less valued. We wanted this project to be a vehicle for values of inclusion, fraternity, diversity and for architecture to be a motivational tool for initiation into sports or cultural activities.
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