Scheduled to open to the public in early 2026 and after more than a decade of planning, design and construction, the City of Edmonton is nearing completion on a significant addition to its recreational infrastructure. Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre (CPSRC) is a thoughtfully designed multi-purpose facility that will support recreational users, cyclists and triathletes.
“This will be a facility that meets the recreation needs of the community while also creating opportunities for year-round triathlon and track cycling training and events,” says Michael Schneider, Program Manager, City of Edmonton Facility Infrastructure Delivery. “As a large multi-purpose recreation centre, CPSRC will help Edmontonians meet their sport, recreational and leisure needs. The facility will enable users to connect with their passions and pursue overall wellness.”
Once complete, CPSRC will connect directly to the newly rehabilitated Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre through an above-ground link, creating a seamless recreation destination. “This integration will provide facility users with access to a 50-metre indoor swimming pool, as well as an indoor cycling track, running track, indoor play spaces and other amenities” Schneider says.
The project is the latest in a long legacy of sport excellence in Edmonton, which includes high-performance facilities like Kinsmen Sports Centre and Commonwealth Stadium, as well as global events such as the 1978 Commonwealth Games, 1983 Universiade and the 2005 World Masters Games. CPSRC will build on that legacy in a big way. “The integrated facility will continue this legacy by being the first indoor triathlon training centre in North America to support year-round training and events,” he explains.
Notably, the facility will feature the only Category 2 indoor cycling track in Western Canada and one of only three across the country. This designation from the Union Cycliste Internationale (the world governing body of cycling) will qualify the facility to host World Cups, Continental Championships, Junior World Championships and other national and international events.
Flexible by Design
At its core, the new centre is designed with the flexibility to adapt to future programming needs. Its layout allows for simultaneous programming and adaptable spaces. Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre is designed to be a versatile space, accommodating a wide range of activities, programs and recreational opportunities. Its open concept design allows for easy adaptation to various programming needs and enables multiple activities to occur simultaneously.
This adaptability is aligned with a broader shift in how Edmonton envisions community recreation. The City’s recreational infrastructure is evolving to support a mix of organized programs and informal, free-form activities. Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre reflects this shift in its design. For instance, the social staircase includes a small slide and climbing wall integrated into its seating.
Built on Community Input
The City undertook extensive public consultation to shape the centre’s design, functionality and priorities. Community feedback was vital in shaping the design. Public engagement revealed desired amenities such as an indoor cycling track, running track, urban court and sport courts.
That feedback wasn’t limited to general users. Edmonton’s triathlon and cycling communities had a seat at the table. Input from cycling and triathlon communities ensured the facility would meet high-performance athletic needs. These communities provided practical insights and helped refine the design and functionality of the facility, while confirming that the facility met desired outcomes.
Engineering for Impact
The architectural centrepiece of CPSRC is its distinctive clear-span roof, a solution that was essential for the facility’s indoor velodrome. The driving force for this design was to create an oval cycling track with a clear-span structure. Most velodromes require clear views of the riders on the track, which means no columns or supports in or near the indoor cycling track.
To achieve this, the project team employed a combination of advanced steel and concrete systems. The main roof structure generally consists of a 76 millimetre deep steel deck supported by open-web steel joists that span east to west. These trusses are supported by a built-up curving girder (ring beam) at the perimeter of the roof. A series of V-shaped steel columns and four concrete stair cores support the structure.
Engineering for sustainability was equally important. Additional structural loading has enabled the installation of a 616-panel rooftop solar photovoltaic system.
Innovation Through Architecture
Aesthetically and functionally, the innovative design of the facility shines. In addition to its solar panels and energy-efficient systems, the building features a striking exterior with large windows and 4,700 interlocking exterior façade shingles. “These shingles change colour based on sun exposure, and will animate the facility with living colour,” Schneider says. “We are proud of how the facility design seamlessly integrates sustainability.”
Natural light plays a central role inside, with large windows and skylights reducing the need for artificial lighting. “The skylight and large windows will provide natural lighting and reduce energy consumption,” he adds.
Enhancing the District Park
Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre will address a need for a multi-purpose recreation facility in Coronation District Park, as identified in the City’s Medium Term Recreation Facility and Sports Field Plan.
Situated within Coronation District Park, the new facility is expected to elevate and complement its surroundings. Its design enhances the natural connection between indoor and outdoor space. Continuous exterior glass encircles the second floor of the facility, offering abundant natural light and clear park views.
The visual presence of the facility was carefully considered. The rose-gold colour generated by the recreation centre exterior façade shingles complements the gold colour of the nearby Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium.
Over time, the centre will add to the park’s legacy. Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre will continue the legacy of Coronation District Park for being a place of learning and self-discovery.
Overcoming Complex Challenges
Delivering a facility of this complexity required tenacity and collaboration. The project was initiated in 2011, and after achieving 60 per cent design completion, it was put on hold pending partner funding certainty.
In 2018, Edmonton City Council reactivated the project. The City project team worked with Clark Builders, the construction manager, to manage risks related to cost escalations and the COVID-19 pandemic. Facility construction started in 2022.
The design and construction of a multi-purpose recreation centre with specialized amenities presented several challenges. For example, the facility building systems must be able to support various simultaneous activities. Additionally, the Category 2 indoor cycling track requires 43-degree curves at each end. These challenges were overcome with the help of consulting project partners and extensive external research.
“The distinctive curved and twisting architectural geometry of the facility required meticulous planning and precise coordination. The use of Mass Plywood Panels (MPP) allowed for custom shaping to match the building’s dynamic, ribbon-like form,” says Jeremy Koroscil, Project Executive, Clark Builders. This project represents one of the largest and most complex MPP applications in North America. The curved wood panels not only realize the architectural vision but also enhance interior acoustics and contribute to the warmth and character of the space.
Built for a Growing City
The facility will serve residents of all ages and abilities. Amenities will include a fitness centre, sport courts, bouldering wall, indoor walking/running track, indoor playground, a child-minding space, and various program studios and multi-purpose spaces to support the delivery of a wide range of programs, services and emerging recreation activities.
It’s also designed to enhance sport development opportunities for cyclists and triathletes. The facility will have unique sport-specific amenities, including a Union Cycliste Internationale sanctioned Category 2 indoor cycling track.
A Commitment to Public Good
From its LEED® Gold ambitions to inclusive programming, the centre is designed to support broader civic priorities. Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre will contribute to the City of Edmonton’s sustainability goals by using innovative technologies to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases.
Accessibility was also front and centre. The facility design incorporates various types of accessibility systems, including accessible parking stalls, power doors, accessible washrooms, elevators, ramps, handrails and tactile warning systems.
Innovative hearing loop systems at the customer service desk will help support people who are Deaf or hard of hearing. This technology significantly enhances communication.
More broadly, the centre is a place to improve physical and mental health. The programming will assist Edmontonians of all ages and abilities to meet their recreation and wellness-related goals, whether that’s a senior rebuilding their health after a heart attack, or a student practicing their shot so they can make their school basketball team.
A Collaborative Vision
A wide network of partners played critical roles in the project’s success, from user groups to architects and builders. The Alberta Velodrome Association and World Triathlon Series Edmonton provided feedback on the functional design of the triathlon and cycling amenities.
Dub Architects Ltd. and HCMA Architecture + Design used their extensive expertise to design a facility that meets the programming needs of various user groups. As the construction manager, Clark Builders brought deep expertise in managing and delivering complex and large-scale projects.
Within the City of Edmonton, collaboration was extensive. The Integrated Infrastructure Services department and the Community Services department worked closely together every step of the way to ensure the project meets the functional and program needs of a large multi-purpose recreation centre.
A Space for Edmonton to Thrive
As the City of Edmonton prepares for the opening of Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, expectations are high, not just for the facility’s function, but for what it will represent. Those involved with the project hope that Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre will represent the collective spirit of Edmonton — a place that is welcoming, inclusive, accessible and where individuals come together to connect, thrive and pursue their passions.
