latest iteration is the recently opened Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge, by GEC Architecture, on the outskirts of northwest Calgary: a spectacular curvilinear building inspired by the surrounding foothills landscape. Calgary-based GEC Architecture has a long history of designing sports and recreation facilities going back to the 1983 Saddledome and the 1987 Olympic Speed Skating Oval. The Shane Homes YMCA, programmed and built by the City of Calgary, sits on a 2.6-hectare site between a wetland and a hill that is the highest point in the city. The YMCA is the operator and long-term leaseholder; the Calgary Public Library, physio clinic, and vendors hold sub-leases with the YMCA. (The adjacent wetland and hill are outside of the YMCA lease, and maintained by the city?s Parks and Recreation department.) As key stakeholders, the YMCA and Public Library were part of the design process. Photo by Michael Wach.
Like the Genesis Centre of Community Wellness in northeast Calgary (by Gibbs Gage with Quinn Young Associates) and the Reming- ton YMCA at Quarry Park in the southeast (by GEC Architecture), the projects are often sponsor-named after local developers and home builders. Shane Homes, the building?s main sponsor, is one of the largest home-builders in Calgary.
The façade is made up of large curving expanses of high-performance glazing, which offers key views from within the facility while selectively revealing the interior activities to passers-by. Photo by Michael Wach.
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