Olympic-level features in college facility

Red Deer College - Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

Red Deer College was prepping to host the 2019 Winter Games, and they saw an opportunity to create an iconic, eye-catching testament to their quality of education—right on the QEII highway. The Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre (designed by our team) features a glowing, dynamic roof that projects toward the city, creating a symbol of the connection between the college, community, and Waskasoo Creek.

The center, a design/build project, includes an arena with ice sheets for both Olympic and hybrid-size rinks and seating for 1,100 spectators. The arena will accommodate tradeshows and dry land events, skating, minor sport usage, Hockey Alberta usage, and will be home ice for the Red Deer College Kings and Queens hockey teams.

A double gymnasium features seating for 1,200 spectators and space for basketball, volleyball, badminton, convocation, and presentations. A second-level running track, offering both a loop and straightaway, looks onto the gymnasium courts below. Additionally, the Kinesiology department, equipped with treatment and rehabilitation rooms, movement and sport studios, an anatomy lab, offices, and classrooms, will support post-secondary programming.

The facility will host speed skating, squash, figure skating, badminton, and wheel chair basketball at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, and will serve its community well after the events.