Hespeler Memorial Arena
The first phase of the City of Cambridge's Hespeler Memorial Arena included an Olympic-sized ice pad, spectator seating, a press box, various community-use spaces, and the development of 20 acres of adjacent parkland with a soccer pitch and baseball diamonds. As part of the facility's master plan, the building was designed to permit the addition of a second ice pad, which TWFP subsequently brought to reality.
The 40,500 sq.ft. addition incorporates a second Olympic-sized ice rink, 300 spectator seats, and a gallery overlooking both ice surfaces. TWFP's engineers incorporated new technology into the addition, while improving the original facility's refrigeration systems, lighting and building skin to allow 12-month ice time.
The facility's public concourse is treated as an active social area, and clearly ties together all of the functions in the arena.
"The Hespeler Arena project was particularly challenging due to time constraints to design and construct a replacement facility for an existing condemned arena, to minimize impact to the community/arena operations, to incorporate public participation of strong community groups in the design process, to meet budget control requirements and to meet community, staff and neighbourhood expectations for a functional, attractive and quality facility. The firm successfully met these challenges in a very positive manner. The multi-disciplined composition of this firm has been of benefit in the projects undertaken with the City of Cambridge. The firm has demonstrated an ability to identify creative options, to provide thoughtful leadership, and has demonstrated a sensitivity to meeting the needs of staff and the public."
Alexander Koch, Co-ordinator of Design and Development, City of Cambridge
