The Canada Games Aquatic Centre Infrastructure Improvement Project at the Tournament Capital Centre in Kamloops has officially reached completion.
The $13.5 million project was driven by the need to replace aging critical infrastructure and provided an opportunity to improve the environmental performance of the building. Aside from extending the life of the building, these updates will significantly improve the energy efficiency of the building, lower the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by reducing the use of natural gas, and make the building more sustainable.
For example, the large air handler at the back of the building now regulates the temperature and humidity of the air within the pool building, and uses a heat recovery system to offset the need to burn natural gas to meet the thermal demands of the building. In a pool environment, a large component of the facility’s energy use is to heat the water. This heat constantly evaporates off the water creating humidity that is then expelled from the building. With the new HVAC systems, this relatively hot and humid exhaust air is now recovered and used to warm the new air entering the building.
Other updates at the centre include: a new roof, walls, and door systems, updated mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems, new boilers, high efficiency LED lighting, new high-efficiency whirlpool, steam room, and sauna.
Other improvements include a new indoor spray park, and a new hot tub with a direct access lift.
In addition, sustainable practices were prioritized during construction, resulting in 97 per cent of construction waste being diverted from the landfill.
“As a swimmer and lover of aquatic sports, I’m pleased that the Canada Games Aquatic Centre in Kamloops will not only support healthy lifestyles, but will also reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to a greener and more active future for generations to come,” said Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.