Vancouver Olympic/ Paralympic Centre
Location
4575 Clancy Loranger Way
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
Content Type
- Building
Certifications & Awards
project team
Summary
KEY SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
- Legacy facility for the community: to be retrofitted after the Olympics
- Net Zero green space loss
- Energy-efficient design: 40% reduction in energy use
- Efficient water use: 30 % reduction in potable water use
- Use of FSC certified wood
- Construction waste management: diversion of 75% of construction waste from the landfill
The Vancouver Olympic/ Paralympic Centre is located in Vancouver’s Riley Park neighbourhood near Queen Elizabeth Park. The new curling facility replaces an aging complex. After 2010, the centre will contain an aquatic centre, competition-sized ice rink, community centre, library, preschool and offices.
Table of contents
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
A major goal for the project was to achieve a net zero loss of green space. The new complex is situated primarily on a former gravel parking area thereby reducing disturbance to the surrounding parkland. During construction, trees within the venue construction area were salvaged and relocated, and 75 percent of construction waste was diverted from the landfill. Salvageable materials will be recycled when the existing community centre and pool are demolished and the site is remediated back to park space.
The Vancouver Olympic/ Paralympic Centre is accessible by public transit and provides on-site bike storage and change rooms, thereby supporting active transportation. The project meets minimum parking requirements with provisions made for car-pooling and electric plug-ins for hybrid or electrically powered vehicles. Downward facing, lower intensity lighting helps to minimize light pollution from the site, and a white roof helps to reflect the sun’s energy, therefore helping to minimize the urban heat island effect.
Waste heat is captured and re-used from the refrigeration plant and swimming pool to heat other building spaces, including the adjacent aquatic centre, and to produce domestic hot water for the facility. This, along with energy efficient fixtures and natural daylight illuminating 90 percent of the space, results in a 40 percent reduction in energy use for the facility.
The design team was initially confronted with the problem of a high water table that was continuously replenished by an underground stream running through the site. This challenge was overcome by developing an innovative approach wherein water is pumped up from underground and used to supplement toilet flushing and irrigation. Rainwater is also collected and stored for use in dual-flush toilets, therefore reducing the amount of potable water used in the facility by up to 30 percent.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and Halons, commonly used for industrial-scale heating and cooling needs, have been shown to cause ozone depletion and, in the case of HCFCs, are powerful greenhouse gases. For this reason, both HCFCs and Halons were eliminated in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system of the Olympic/ Paralympic Centre. Excellent indoor air quality is achieved by using low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paint and avoiding the use of urea formaldehyde materials.
The Olympic/ Paralympic Centre employs a state-of-the art ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system for its pool water, rather than the more conventional approach of chlorine-based disinfectants to reduce microbiological counts in swimming pool water. These chloride disinfectants, associated with the characteristic “pool smell”, are claimed to be carcinogenic and cause “red eyes” and skin irritation. UV disinfection has been shown to reduce overall chlorine consumption by 50 percent without an increase in bacterial counts. A further benefit is improved indoor air quality, as well as lower demands on the ventilation system, thereby saving energy and associated costs. The building is maintained and operated using green and sustainable housekeeping through the use of environmentally responsible cleaning products.
ECONOMY
It is estimated that the facility will attract approximately one million visitors per year, making it a significant economic driver in the community.
Construction of facilities like the Vancouver Olympic / Paralympic Centre supports green and clean supply chains in the Vancouver region by mandating the sourcing of sustainable building materials that are better for the environment and for our health. With an increasing number of such projects, the demand for low-impact green technologies, materials and services also increases. The “green industry” is one of the fastest growing sectors in the province and is on its way to making British Columbia a global leader in green technology, building and design.
COMMUNITY
A key benefit of the project is the concept of a strong and meaningful legacy for the community after the Winter Games. While the Vancouver Olympic/ Paralympic Centre was built as a core venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, its flexible design facilitates the repurposing of the facility into an integrated community complex that residents will use and enjoy for years to come. The future comprehensive community complex will house a community centre, library, ice rink and pool. Through the site selection and design of the Vancouver Olympic/ Paralympic Centre, every effort was made to ensure that the facility would be a well-used community space for many years to come.
Audio Tour of this building
This building is part of the City of Vancouver Green Building Audio Tour, a collection of audio recordings about Vancouver's greenest buildings. Each three-minute recording takes the listener on a virtual 'tour' of the building's green design features, guided by the architect or member of the design team. You can listen to them online, via podcast, or via your cell phone by calling 604-673-8150. The Vancouver Green Building Audio Tours were created through a partnership between City of Vancouver Sustainability Office and the Open Green Building Society.
To hear the audio guide for this building click on the player at the top of the left sidebar on this webpage, or dial 604-673-8150 and enter code 01.
References
Sources include:
- Condon, Darryl (Hughes Condon Marler: Architects). 2010. Pers. communication.
- City of Vancouver. 2010 Winter Games Vancouver Olympic Centre/Vancouver Paralympic Centre at Hillcrest Park. Accessed at: http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/2010olympics/hillcrest.htm
- Lenntech BV 1998 – 2009. UV Systems for Pools. Lenntech Water Treatment Solutions. Accessed at http://www.lenntech.com/systems/uv/swimming-pools/uv-pools.htm
- Maxey, John (Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation). 2010. Pers. communication.
- The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. News. Accessed at: http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
A major goal for the project was to achieve a net zero loss of green space. The new complex is situated primarily on a former gravel parking area thereby reducing disturbance to the surrounding parkland. During construction, trees within the venue construction area were salvaged and relocated, and 75 percent of construction waste was diverted from the landfill. Salvageable materials will be recycled when the existing community centre and pool are demolished and the site is remediated back to park space.
The Vancouver Olympic/ Paralympic Centre is accessible by public transit and provides on-site bike storage and change rooms, thereby supporting active transportation. The project meets minimum parking requirements with provisions made for car-pooling and electric plug-ins for hybrid or electrically powered vehicles. Downward facing, lower intensity lighting helps to minimize light pollution from the site, and a white roof helps to reflect the sun’s energy, therefore helping to minimize the urban heat island effect.
Waste heat is captured and re-used from the refrigeration plant and swimming pool to heat other building spaces, including the adjacent aquatic centre, and to produce domestic hot water for the facility. This, along with energy efficient fixtures and natural daylight illuminating 90 percent of the space, results in a 40 percent reduction in energy use for the facility.
The design team was initially confronted with the problem of a high water table that was continuously replenished by an underground stream running through the site. This challenge was overcome by developing an innovative approach wherein water is pumped up from underground and used to supplement toilet flushing and irrigation. Rainwater is also collected and stored for use in dual-flush toilets, therefore reducing the amount of potable water used in the facility by up to 30 percent.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and Halons, commonly used for industrial-scale heating and cooling needs, have been shown to cause ozone depletion and, in the case of HCFCs, are powerful greenhouse gases. For this reason, both HCFCs and Halons were eliminated in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system of the Olympic/ Paralympic Centre. Excellent indoor air quality is achieved by using low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paint and avoiding the use of urea formaldehyde materials.
The Olympic/ Paralympic Centre employs a state-of-the art ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system for its pool water, rather than the more conventional approach of chlorine-based disinfectants to reduce microbiological counts in swimming pool water. These chloride disinfectants, associated with the characteristic “pool smell”, are claimed to be carcinogenic and cause “red eyes” and skin irritation. UV disinfection has been shown to reduce overall chlorine consumption by 50 percent without an increase in bacterial counts. A further benefit is improved indoor air quality, as well as lower demands on the ventilation system, thereby saving energy and associated costs. The building is maintained and operated using green and sustainable housekeeping through the use of environmentally responsible cleaning products.
ECONOMY
It is estimated that the facility will attract approximately one million visitors per year, making it a significant economic driver in the community.
Construction of facilities like the Vancouver Olympic / Paralympic Centre supports green and clean supply chains in the Vancouver region by mandating the sourcing of sustainable building materials that are better for the environment and for our health. With an increasing number of such projects, the demand for low-impact green technologies, materials and services also increases. The “green industry” is one of the fastest growing sectors in the province and is on its way to making British Columbia a global leader in green technology, building and design.
COMMUNITY
A key benefit of the project is the concept of a strong and meaningful legacy for the community after the Winter Games. While the Vancouver Olympic/ Paralympic Centre was built as a core venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, its flexible design facilitates the repurposing of the facility into an integrated community complex that residents will use and enjoy for years to come. The future comprehensive community complex will house a community centre, library, ice rink and pool. Through the site selection and design of the Vancouver Olympic/ Paralympic Centre, every effort was made to ensure that the facility would be a well-used community space for many years to come.
Audio Tour of this building
This building is part of the City of Vancouver Green Building Audio Tour, a collection of audio recordings about Vancouver's greenest buildings. Each three-minute recording takes the listener on a virtual 'tour' of the building's green design features, guided by the architect or member of the design team. You can listen to them online, via podcast, or via your cell phone by calling 604-673-8150. The Vancouver Green Building Audio Tours were created through a partnership between City of Vancouver Sustainability Office and the Open Green Building Society.
To hear the audio guide for this building click on the player at the top of the left sidebar on this webpage, or dial 604-673-8150 and enter code 04, 05, or 06.
References
Sources include:
- Condon, Darryl (Hughes Condon Marler: Architects). 2010. Pers. communication.
- City of Vancouver. 2010 Winter Games Vancouver Olympic Centre/Vancouver Paralympic Centre at Hillcrest Park. Accessed at: http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/2010olympics/hillcrest.htm
- Lenntech BV 1998 – 2009. UV Systems for Pools. Lenntech Water Treatment Solutions. Accessed at http://www.lenntech.com/systems/uv/swimming-pools/uv-pools.htm
- Maxey, John (Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation). 2010. Pers. communication.
- The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. News. Accessed at: http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
A major goal for the project was to achieve a net zero loss of green space. The new complex is situated primarily on a former gravel parking area thereby reducing disturbance to the surrounding parkland. During construction, trees within the venue construction area were salvaged and relocated, and 75 percent of construction waste was diverted from the landfill. Salvageable materials will be recycled when the existing community centre and pool are demolished and the site is remediated back to park space.
The Vancouver Olympic/ Paralympic Centre is accessible by public transit and provides on-site bike storage and change rooms, thereby supporting active transportation. The project meets minimum parking requirements with provisions made for car-pooling and electric plug-ins for hybrid or electrically powered vehicles. Downward facing, lower intensity lighting helps to minimize light pollution from the site, and a white roof helps to reflect the sun’s energy, therefore helping to minimize the urban heat island effect.
Waste heat is captured and re-used from the refrigeration plant and swimming pool to heat other building spaces, including the adjacent aquatic centre, and to produce domestic hot water for the facility. This, along with energy efficient fixtures and natural daylight illuminating 90 percent of the space, results in a 40 percent reduction in energy use for the facility.
The design team was initially confronted with the problem of a high water table that was continuously replenished by an underground stream running through the site. This challenge was overcome by developing an innovative approach wherein water is pumped up from underground and used to supplement toilet flushing and irrigation. Rainwater is also collected and stored for use in dual-flush toilets, therefore reducing the amount of potable water used in the facility by up to 30 percent.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and Halons, commonly used for industrial-scale heating and cooling needs, have been shown to cause ozone depletion and, in the case of HCFCs, are powerful greenhouse gases. For this reason, both HCFCs and Halons were eliminated in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system of the Olympic/ Paralympic Centre. Excellent indoor air quality is achieved by using low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paint and avoiding the use of urea formaldehyde materials.
The Olympic/ Paralympic Centre employs a state-of-the art ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system for its pool water, rather than the more conventional approach of chlorine-based disinfectants to reduce microbiological counts in swimming pool water. These chloride disinfectants, associated with the characteristic “pool smell”, are claimed to be carcinogenic and cause “red eyes” and skin irritation. UV disinfection has been shown to reduce overall chlorine consumption by 50 percent without an increase in bacterial counts. A further benefit is improved indoor air quality, as well as lower demands on the ventilation system, thereby saving energy and associated costs. The building is maintained and operated using green and sustainable housekeeping through the use of environmentally responsible cleaning products.
ECONOMY
It is estimated that the facility will attract approximately one million visitors per year, making it a significant economic driver in the community.
Construction of facilities like the Vancouver Olympic / Paralympic Centre supports green and clean supply chains in the Vancouver region by mandating the sourcing of sustainable building materials that are better for the environment and for our health. With an increasing number of such projects, the demand for low-impact green technologies, materials and services also increases. The “green industry” is one of the fastest growing sectors in the province and is on its way to making British Columbia a global leader in green technology, building and design.
COMMUNITY
A key benefit of the project is the concept of a strong and meaningful legacy for the community after the Winter Games. While the Vancouver Olympic/ Paralympic Centre was built as a core venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, its flexible design facilitates the repurposing of the facility into an integrated community complex that residents will use and enjoy for years to come. The future comprehensive community complex will house a community centre, library, ice rink and pool. Through the site selection and design of the Vancouver Olympic/ Paralympic Centre, every effort was made to ensure that the facility would be a well-used community space for many years to come.
Audio Tour of this building
This building is part of the City of Vancouver Green Building Audio Tour, a collection of audio recordings about Vancouver's greenest buildings. Each three-minute recording takes the listener on a virtual 'tour' of the building's green design features, guided by the architect or member of the design team. You can listen to them online, via podcast, or via your cell phone by calling 604-673-8150. The Vancouver Green Building Audio Tours were created through a partnership between City of Vancouver Sustainability Office and the Open Green Building Society.
To hear the audio guide for this building click on the player at the top of the left sidebar on this webpage, or dial 604-673-8150 and enter code 01.
References
Sources include:
- Condon, Darryl (Hughes Condon Marler: Architects). 2010. Pers. communication.
- City of Vancouver. 2010 Winter Games Vancouver Olympic Centre/Vancouver Paralympic Centre at Hillcrest Park. Accessed at: http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/2010olympics/hillcrest.htm
- Lenntech BV 1998 – 2009. UV Systems for Pools. Lenntech Water Treatment Solutions. Accessed at http://www.lenntech.com/systems/uv/swimming-pools/uv-pools.htm
- Maxey, John (Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation). 2010. Pers. communication.
- The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. News. Accessed at: http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/
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Edited by:
alexg,
about 2 years ago
