The Abilities Centre in Whitby, Ont. and the West Vancouver Community both received architectural Awards of Distinction from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS).

Designed by B+H Architects, the Abilities Centre is a state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility that will be a featured venue when Toronto hosts the 2015 Parapan Games.

The Centre has a fully equipped and universally accessible cardio and fitness, weight and sensory rooms. It includes meeting and conference room facilities, as well as a performing arts area, all of which were constructed with universal requirements in mind.

The West Vancouver Community Centre was designed by Hughes Condon Marler Architects, and unifies several previously disconnected community facilities. The West Vancouver Aquatic Centre is attached to the Community Centre, which was designed to promote wellness and accessibility.

The IOC, IPC and IAKS launched this award program in 2005 to promote sustainable buildings with inclusive facilities that enable sport and leisure amenities to be easily accessible to people with varying degrees of physical abilities.

Two other Canadian firms were recognized at the awards. MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects and HIP Architects received a silver IOC/IAKS Award for the Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre in Edmonton, while Hughes Condon Marler Architects’ Hillcrest Centre Vancouver received a bronze IOC/IAKS Award.