The Canada Games Aquatic Centre (CGAC) opened its doors to the public in 1993 and serves 800,000 recreational and competitive users annually from not only the City but from the surrounding Thompson Okanagan region. With the original exterior failing and many mechanical and electrical components past their life expectancy, the City of Kamloops initiated an infrastructure improvement project.

Stantec was engaged as the mechanical partners of the team delivering this project under the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model—one of the first completed IPD in British Columbia, and the first renovation IPD completed in Western Canada. The team’s challenge was to rehabilitate the existing building within the City’s approved budget and extend its life while increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To improve social circumstances, it was a strategic decision to also incorporate universal individual change rooms into the scope. The façade and roof were replaced to reduce air leakage, while custom air handling units and water-cooled dedicated heat recovery chillers were introduced to reduce heating energy consumption.

The strategies introduced will lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve indoor thermal comfort by providing conditioned air and dehumidification. Overall, this project will help the CGAC remain at the heart of recreation, health, and wellness for Kamloops and its surrounding communities.

Renovations are complex, balancing meeting the needs of the facility while minimizing disruption and managing the project budget. Add in the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the middle of design, and the process of “doing work” introduced its own challenges.

However, under the IPD model, the project team – which included the owners, consultants, and contractor partners – was committed to developing and delivering a project scope that, in addition to replacing the natatorium envelope, upgraded the ventilation and lighting, converted the existing change areas to universal change rooms, and added a new spray park to the leisure pool area.

Utilizing LEAN methodologies – both in-person and virtually, the team worked collaboratively to bring the project from concept to reality. Such as with Target Value Design (TVD), the scope of work was continuously priced, so the designs and equipment were optimized to meet the target budget. With Pull Planning, the team could ensure deliverables were met not only during design but also construction. And with Co-Location, the team could engage in on-site discussions to resolve design and construction issues. These provide the owner with assurance that the entire team is committed to “Build this project, that does these things, for this amount of money, in this amount of time.”

With this approach, the project team delivered $14+ Million in work, under budget and on schedule.

In line with the City’s Community Climate Action Plan, this project achieves these sustainability milestones: 36% reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions; 21% reduction in total energy use; more robust building envelope; enhanced indoor air quality in the natatorium; and the extension of the functionality of the facility for all user groups, promoting inclusivity, diversity, and cementing its value and purpose within the community.