Ever since concrete bleachers in the university’s original development plan were deemed too costly, the campus has been void of a critical community-building space. Recognizing that athletic events only occur 20 days out of the year, the intent was to design an outdoor gathering space for both formal and informal uses, providing a variety of gathering and viewing opportunities. The stadium provides 1,823 formal seats and over 300 informal seats to enjoy events and socialize at Terry Fox Field.
The expansive cantilevered roof, which covers over half the seating, integrates a press box at the terrace level with washrooms, service spaces, and the football locker room located below. Respecting the dominance of the adjacent Lorne Davies Complex, the canopy form is syncopated with its rhythm. To emphasize the viewing experience for spectators, the structure was deliberately minimized, and all of the services are integrated into the canopy to create the impression that the expansive cantilever floats above the seats.
We collaborated closely with the structural engineering team on the design of the canopy to provide unobstructed views out to the field and into the stands, creating a magical experience for both spectator and athlete. Massive box girder beams cantilever 16-metres over the stands, supporting the floating roof structure. Heavy snow loads, large CLT roof panels with integrated systems, and tight clearances to the adjacent gymnasium complex made engineering, fabrication, and installation of the roof structure particularly challenging. Stainless steel pins and rods anchor the beams at their tails and their tapered design allows them to disappear, creating the impossibly thin look of the roof when viewed from the field.
Outside of event days, the stadium provides a weather protected outdoor space for athletic and cultural events, as well as a meeting place for club or social gatherings.
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