Killarney Rink

Location

6260 Killarney Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

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Budget
$14,900,000
Site/Building area
Building: 3,710 m2
Completion date
May 2009
Certifications & Awards
  • Targeting LEED® Gold
  • GLOBE Foundation and World Green Building Council Excellence for Green Building Award
Project Team
  • Client: Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation; Killarney Community Centre Society; VANOC
  • Architect: Acton Ostry Architects
  • Structural Engineer: C.Y. Loh & Associates Ltd
  • Refrigeration Consultants: Bradley Refrigeration Consultants Limited
  • Mechanical Engineers: Stantec Engineering; Western Mechanical Services
  • Engineers: Morrison Hershfield Ltd.
  • Landscape Architect: Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg Inc.
  • General Contracting: The Haebler Group
  • Demolition: D. Litchfield & Co.
  • Disposal: Maple Leaf Disposal
  • Funders: Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation; VANOC; Killarney Community Centre Society

Summary

KEY SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES

  • Diversion of 95% of concrete construction waste from landfill 
  • Heat recovery and energy-efficient design: optimize energy performance by at least 38%
  • Reduction of potable water use by 40%
  • Elimination of HCFC and Halons reduce GHG and ozone-depleting gases 

The Killarney Ice Rink and Lobby project replaces an aging ice rink and lobby at the Killarney Community Centre. The new lobby connects the swimming pool, ice rink, gymnasium, and administrative offices.  Targeting LEED Gold certification, the Killarney project is designed to take advantage of inherent synergies between new and existing building systems.

Energy and Environment

The rink is located within convenient access of local and regional transit systems, allowing for the reduction of onsite parking requirements. Battery plug-ins for hybrid or electrical vehicles will be included in the parking infrastructure. Bicycle storage and change rooms are provided in support of alternative transportation.

The new Killarney Rink was constructed on the site of an aging community rink facility originally built in 1963. Because the old rink was torn down and the new one built over its footprint, no open space was lost as a result of construction. In addition, materials from the demolished facility were crushed on-site and used as backfill for the new rink, diverting 95% of the concrete construction waste from the landfill. During construction, an erosion and sediment control plan was in place to minimize disturbance to the surrounding environment. Downward facing, low intensity lights help to minimize light pollution from the site, and a white roof reflects sunlight, thereby minimizing a potential “urban heat island” effect (where dark urban surfaces contribute to heating the urban environment by absorbing energy).

Water reduction is achieved through dual-flush, water-efficient toilets and landscaping that uses only drought-tolerant plants with minimal water requirements. These strategies help to reduce water consumption by more than 40 percent, or 126 cubic metres annually. Excess heat from ice slab cooling is used to heat the adjacent community centre and pool, helping to optimize energy performance by a projected 38 percent, or 490,000 equivalent kilowatt hours, per year.

Economy

The annual cost savings associated with energy efficiencies achieved in this project amount to an estimated $20,000 per year. Construction of facilities like the Killarney Rink supports “green” and “clean” technologies and material sources in the Vancouver region. With an increasing number of such projects, the demand for and supply of low-impact technologies, materials and services increases.

Community

Built for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Killarney Rink will be enjoyed by the community for years to come due to its flexible design. After the Winter Games, this Olympic venue will be retrofitted as necessary and converted into a community recreation facility. The new lobby integrates the adjacent community centre and pool, resulting in a comprehensive community complex with the potential to become a vibrant social hub in the neighbourhood.

When not occupied for rink use, the “Skater Lounge” and the new lobby are designed to accommodate public functions and social activities. Administration offices are designed to facilitate public interaction with staff via the adjacent lobby. In support of further educating the public about sustainability issues, online resources and printed brochures describe the sustainability features of the facility. Recyclables are collected and separated on-site, including composting. The on-going operation of the building will include “green housekeeping” services with environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

Sources include:

  • Maxey, John (Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation). 2010. Pers. Communication
  • Strauss, Christine and Antonio Colin (Acton Ostry Architects). 2010. Pers. Communication 
  • City of Vancouver. 2009. 2010 Winter Games: Killarney Rink. Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. Accessed at: http://vancouver.ca/PARKS/info/2010Olympics/killarney.htm
  • The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Training Venues: Killarney Centre. Accessed at: http://www.vancouver2010.com/training-venues/