How can we design spaces that will support the health of local communities in a meaningful way"?As architects and designers behind civic facilities, we have the unique opportunity to radically influence the strength of a community. These are facilities, after all, that specifically touch various facets of one?s life. They are commonly defined by their programmatic offerings, be it sports, learning, recreation, or leisure. But we also identify them as the places where we gather, celebrate or seek refuge.?They are, by nature, spaces that are well positioned to foster community resiliency. 
As community centres begin to reopen following months of closures and virtual programming, operators and users alike must grapple with an entirely new set of challenges. Navigating the latest in health policies and applying it to decades-old programming and infrastructure is a challenging task in and of itself. Yet, this latest challenge for community centres coincides with evolving societal challenges to address social inequity and inclusion in such public spaces. What?s more, mounting pressures due to the climate crisis and economic uncertainty call for a proactive response to integrating social and environmental resilience into every community centre moving forward.   Perkins&Will has been part of this changing scenario for community facilities across Canada as they strive to become more socially and environmentally resili...