New images from the City of Calgary pair the undulating gold-coloured exterior of the Rocky Ridge Recreation Facility with a rare glimpse behind that futuristic shell, which Calgarians will soon be able to enjoy in early 2018. Located at 11300 Rocky Ridge Rd. NW in a picturesque slice of suburban Calgary, the GEC Architecture-designed complex stands within a natural park, nestled between an existing hill and a reconstructed wetland.

The facility lies within a natural landscape of wetlands and hills, image courtesy of The City of Calgary

The sinuous 284,000-square-foot facility was designed to complement its surrounding landscape, which includes Calgary's highest natural elevation. Four kilometres of pathways and trails supplement the interior's multisport fitness and recreational activities, which feature competition and wave pools, a waterslide, competition and leisure skating ice, three full gymnasiums, a fitness centre, a 160-metre running track, a 3,000-square-foot library, a 250-seat theatre, a skateboard park, an outdoor basketball court, and several art making and display spaces.

The ice rink approaches completion, image courtesy of The City of Calgary

The current gold sheen of the facade will take on a darker patina as the building ages, helping the facility further blend in with the local environment. Large expanses of glulam-supported high performance glazing open up sight lines to the outside. Newly released images of the interior showcase the curved glued laminated timber roof structure that provides shelter for the programmed spaces. The undulations in the roofline also respond to the individual height requirements of each distinct function.

A curved glued laminated timber structure defines the roof, image courtesy of The City of Calgary

After winning a competitive bid to operate and maintain the space, the Calgary YMCA will manage the facility upon completion. Construction began in 2014 with completion on track for December 2017. Additional time will then be allocated to furnish and equip the building, train operations staff and prepare the facility for opening in the first months of 2018.

The golden exterior of the facility, image courtesy of The City of Calgary

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