[Barrhaven] Minto Recreation Complex | Completed

[waterloowarrior]

Barrhaven South recreation complex moves one step closer to reality
http://www.stevedesroches.ca/index.php/news/item/801-barrhaven-south-recreation-complex-moves-one-step-closer-to-reality

A new recreation complex in Barrhaven moved one step closer with the selection of Perkins+Will as the successful design firm for the $51 million complex that will include two ice pads, a swimming pool, a large gymnasium, sports fields, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, community centre space and many other amenities.

The recreation complex, scheduled for completion in Fall 2014, will serve much of Ottawa south and will be part of an integrated campus at Greenbank and Cambrian roads that will include a Catholic elementary school, a fire station, park land and sports fields.

This will be the first full service sports complex to be built since amalgamation and it is great news for the residents of Barrhaven and all of south Ottawa. The hard work of the public advisory committee has ensured the facility will meet the many and growing needs of the local community.

Perkins+Will is a world-renowned firm with expertise in the design of sports, recreation and community facilities. The successful proposal was the result of a comprehensive RFP process conducted by the City and the involvement of the firm in the design of the complex is considered a major boon to the project and the City of Ottawa.

This is a major development for the City in terms of community involvement in the project and in terms of the level of financing through development charges. The City moved this project forward five years ahead of schedule in order to proactively meet the needs of the community.

The complex will be about 130,000 square feet and will complement facilities and services at the 30-year-old Walter Baker Sports Centre. It will be a convenient destination for residents of Nepean, Manotick, North Gower and, once the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge is finished, Riverside South.

“This spectacular facility will have something for everyone and will benefit many communities in Ottawa,” said Gloucester South Nepean Councillor Steve Desroches. “Community input and the dedicated involvement of a public advisory committee that truly understands the needs of the community has ensured the success of this project.”

http://www.stevedesroches.ca/media/k2/items/cache/f3fa6960b52e3c842fd94fee5eb122ab_XL.jpg



Looking forward to this one, these guys have done some nice work
http://www.perkinswill.com/work/sports-%2B-recreation.html

[Cre47]

Quote: "This will be the first full service sports complex to be built since amalgamation".

The one in Kanata (still under construction?) isn't a full one?

But again - not saying I'm against this project, folks in Barrhaven certainly needs this even though the Sportsplex isn't too far from Barrhaven - this is another proof, that nothing gets done downtown easily, but everyone gets done easily in the suburbs or stuff moving away from downtown to the suburbs. This, the one in Kanata, the new hockey school in Rockland, the new library just a few steps away in Barrhaven, moving the EX from Lansdowne etc, while, they are tearing themselves apart for a new library downtown and it was a pain to redo the Congress Centre. Oh but downtown do get a fancy new skating rink, this was quickly approved for a change.

[waterloowarrior]

Quote: "This will be the first full service sports complex to be built since amalgamation".

The one in Kanata (still under construction?) isn't a full one?

But again - not saying I'm against this project, folks in Barrhaven certainly needs this even though the Sportsplex isn't too far from Barrhaven - this is another proof, that nothing gets done downtown easily, but everyone gets done easily in the suburbs or stuff moving away from downtown to the suburbs. This, the one in Kanata, the new hockey school in Rockland, the new library just a few steps away in Barrhaven, moving the EX from Lansdowne etc, while, they are tearing themselves apart for a new library downtown and it was a pain to redo the Congress Centre. Oh but downtown do get a fancy new skating rink, this was quickly approved for a change.

New recreation facilities in the suburbs have 80% of the cost covered by development charges, which isn't the case downtown for a few reasons such as the previous exemption from DCs for new downtown units and the fact that development charges can only pay for growth-related expenses and not for the share of the project that benefits existing residents.

Also, normally this project wouldn't be done as quickly, but the City recently changed it's policies so that once 50% of development charges are collected the city will frontload the rest through debt financing. This means people who buy in early won't have to wait as long for proper infrastructure and also helps it maintain service levels which affect future development charge collection.

http://ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/occ/2010/07-14/pec/12%20-%20ACS2010-CCS-PEC-0028%20-%20Hume-Harder%20-%20DC%20Funding%20Final.htm

[Acajack]

I don't necessarily have anything against Barrhaven getting stuff but is Walter Baker overloaded or something?

[Cre47]

I don't necessarily have anything against Barrhaven getting stuff but is Walter Baker overloaded or something?

I would guess so. Even Riverside South apparently will get theirs according to the link provided on Waterloo's post.

I think the downtown area would need another one, especially with all the new people moving into those shiny new towers. Shame about that policy. So I guess Barrhaven will have four rec. centres within a 5-minute drive.

[S-Man]

Walter Baker was built in 1980 to serve 10,000 residents. Barrhaven now has over 90,000 (judging that a few years ago they said population was 88,000)

[Acajack]

Walter Baker was built in 1980 to serve 10,000 residents. Barrhaven now has over 90,000 (judging that a few years ago they said population was 88,000)

I am pretty sure Barrhaven has around 50 or 60,000 people at present, though I am willing to be corrected. Still a lot more than 10,000. Anyway, Walter Baker is still a pretty decent sports complex for a community of 10,000 people. Especially considering the Nepean Sportsplex is just up the road as well.

[reidjr]

I am pretty sure Barrhaven has around 50 or 60,000 people at present, though I am willing to be corrected. Still a lot more than 10,000. Anyway, Walter Baker is still a pretty decent sports complex for a community of 10,000 people. Especially considering the Nepean Sportsplex is just up the road as well.

Both the Walter Baker & Sportsplex are good arenas the thing is both are over loaded to much demand on them so yes a new areana is needed.It is important to keep in mind that Walter Baker & Sportsplex are not just for there areas both have people comming from all acrosse nepean and even kanata and area.

[reidjr]

Quote: "This will be the first full service sports complex to be built since amalgamation".

The one in Kanata (still under construction?) isn't a full one?

But again - not saying I'm against this project, folks in Barrhaven certainly needs this even though the Sportsplex isn't too far from Barrhaven - this is another proof, that nothing gets done downtown easily, but everyone gets done easily in the suburbs or stuff moving away from downtown to the suburbs. This, the one in Kanata, the new hockey school in Rockland, the new library just a few steps away in Barrhaven, moving the EX from Lansdowne etc, while, they are tearing themselves apart for a new library downtown and it was a pain to redo the Congress Centre. Oh but downtown do get a fancy new skating rink, this was quickly approved for a change.

What one in kanata under constructiona re you talking about?

[citizen j]

There's a rec centre planned (but not started yet) in Kanata on Innovation Dr. just south of Terry Fox. YMCA was originally a partner but then pulled out. Not sure what the status of the project is now.

[Cre47]

There's a rec centre planned (but not started yet) in Kanata on Innovation Dr. just south of Terry Fox. YMCA was originally a partner but then pulled out. Not sure what the status of the project is now.

Yeah that was the one I was talking about. Wow still not started yet! Me who was complaining how slow major projects in Gatineau (like our sports complex which was completed like over a year behind or probably more) were going.

[reidjr]

There's a rec centre planned (but not started yet) in Kanata on Innovation Dr. just south of Terry Fox. YMCA was originally a partner but then pulled out. Not sure what the status of the project is now.

Yes but it won't have any rinks.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Want more rec facilities downtown. Tear down the old Sandy Hill Arena. This one ice pad arena is a decrepit money pit. Old wonky ice plant--poor insulation from a bygone era. High maintence cost for just one ice pad .Replace it with a new rec center. To get a better one, partner to share the costs with uOttawa and split the usage accordingly.

[waterloowarrior]

some initial designs
http://www.stevedesroches.ca/index.php/news/item/874-schematic-design-plans-for-barrhaven-south-recreation-complex

http://www.stevedesroches.ca/images/phocagallery/BSCRC/bsr2.jpg

http://www.stevedesroches.ca/images/phocagallery/BSCRC/bsr3.jpg

http://www.stevedesroches.ca/images/phocagallery/BSCRC/bsr4.jpg



http://www.stevedesroches.ca/images/phocagallery/BSCRC/bsr5-1.jpg

http://www.stevedesroches.ca/images/phocagallery/BSCRC/bsr5-2.jpg

http://www.stevedesroches.ca/images/phocagallery/BSCRC/bsr5-3.jpg

http://www.stevedesroches.ca/images/phocagallery/BSCRC/bsr5-4.jpg

[S-Man]

Well, I'll bet the people in the 100% unserved Barrhaven South are salivating at the thought of something being nearby. Something for the kids. However, if they need to get food...well.....

[reidjr]

I wish they would have gone with 4 pads and not have a pool and gym.

[adam-machiavelli]

I wish there were arts facilities and community gathering spaces.

[S-Man]

Not sure what you mean by 'gathering space' specifically - these facilities usually have space that can be had for meetings and such, but that might not be what you meant.
Certainly there's no bar/coffee shop!

[MountainView]

I think the pool and especially the gym are needed for the Barrhaven area. The only other Ottawa run gym in Barrhaven is out of Jockvale Public School and as an ex-user, it's old, small, and certainly not top notch.

I think the studio and multipurpose room could be used as a gathering and/or meeting space, for example for public consultations and community associations.

What is strange for me is that they are putting a fence around the entire soccer/football field. Are they doing this so it can be locked and non paying users can not use the field? If so, I think that's a bad idea and the field will go unused for some days; and not allowing families and youth to be out teaching and practicing sports.

And why does the proposed school already have portables in the back?! Is it not cheaper in the long run to build the school bigger now and have it sit empty then expanding later?

[reidjr]

I think the pool and especially the gym are needed for the Barrhaven area. The only other Ottawa run gym in Barrhaven is out of Jockvale Public School and as an ex-user, it's old, small, and certainly not top notch.

I think the studio and multipurpose room could be used as a gathering and/or meeting space, for example for public consultations and community associations.

What is strange for me is that they are putting a fence around the entire soccer/football field. Are they doing this so it can be locked and non paying users can not use the field? If so, I think that's a bad idea and the field will go unused for some days; and not allowing families and youth to be out teaching and practicing sports.

And why does the proposed school already have portables in the back?! Is it not cheaper in the long run to build the school bigger now and have it sit empty then expanding later?

Your right about the gym etc it does make a ton of sense as for the fence i think it might be to protect it last year the big issue was people going on soccer/football fields to early in the spring.

[eemy]

And why does the proposed school already have portables in the back?! Is it not cheaper in the long run to build the school bigger now and have it sit empty then expanding later?

I understand that it is very common to build new schools with portables at the outset because neighbourhoods tend to age over time. I suppose it is easier to build it with portables at the outset when demand is the greatest and then remove the portables later as the number of young families in the neighbourhood shrink.

[waterloowarrior]

here's the site plan application for the adjacent school
http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__81AY4P

[S-Man]

Ceetainly, once this is built, concurrent with the upgrade of Cambrian/Jockvale, the area will seem a lot less "infancy-ish"?

Keep in mind, before summer, 2009, there wasn't a single house in Barrhaven South. Literally, it popped up overnight. The Greenbank realignment and new bridge will complete this, as well as aid transit. Notice how development just stops as you head west down Cambrian west of Greenbank. That corridor isn't being touched until the pavers get there..

One though I've always had, and it goes for western parts of Findlay Creek as well, is that the land originally there (western Barrhaven South - towards Cedarview) was and is awfully low. Like, swampy cedar forest kind of low. I would never be comfortable buying into an area that looks like it could fill up in one of the increasingly frequent once-in-a-century floods we seem to get in Ottawa these days.
How do they put people at ease in this situation?

[waterloowarrior]

renders
some minor floorplan updates as well

On the main level, changes include addition of a 'Dry Changeroom' outside the gym, and alterations to the 'housekeeping' areas on the east approach of the building. Changes on the second level include a boardroom in the top, centre of the floorplan as well as an additional Meeting Room at the eastern end, along the rink view area.


http://www.stevedesroches.ca/index.php/news/item/892-updated-plans-of-barrhaven-south-recreation-centre
http://www.stevedesroches.ca/images/phocagallery/VIEWS_April_10_sm_-_left.jpg
http://www.stevedesroches.ca/images/phocagallery/VIEWS_April_10_sm_-_rt.jpg

[Uhuniau]

renders
some minor floorplan updates as well

Look at all the pretty Lego trees! Vibrant!

[waterloowarrior]

Site Plan application
http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__8567UF

[waterloowarrior]

Ellis Don awarded the construction contract .. construction to be completed fall 2014
http://www.stevedesroches.ca/index.php/news/item/996-contractor-selected-for-future-barrhaven-recreation-centre

[waterloowarrior]

http://stevedesroches.ca/index.php/news/item/1122-city-showcases-construction-of-the-minto-recreation-complex

http://stevedesroches.ca/media/k2/items/cache/68fd1d661976b9d8b879f7809970f2e8_M.jpg

http://stevedesroches.ca/images/bsrc1_sml.jpg

[canabiz]

This one is almost done, looking forward to its completion, walking distance from my place.

Too bad it doesn't have a squash court but there is a tennis court nearby so that will do.

Minto got the naming right :)

[canabiz]

Grand opening today, very nice facility, I will actually be active for a change :)

Some pictures

http://i.imgur.com/AyEsq3h.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/aBSEWab.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/VsqRxCv.jpg

[rocketphish]

Residents, VIPs turn out for opening of Barrhaven's Minto Recreation Complex

Ottawa Citizen
Published on: November 29, 2014, Last Updated: November 29, 2014 4:44 PM EST

Mayor Jim Watson headed a list of VIPs including councillors Mark Taylor and Jan Harder, along with Minto Group CEO Michael Waters for Saturday’s official opening of the state-of-the-art Minto Recreation Complex — Barrhaven on Cambrian Road.

The grand opening, featuring crafts, sports to try and other events for all ages, coincided with the 160,000-square-foot Minto Recreation Complex – Barrhaven being designated a True Sport facility and with RBC Sports Day in Canada.

As part of the festivities residents met with staff, toured the extensive 1,600 square foot facilities, tried out some gear and had some public skating.

The facility features two NHL sized skating rinks, a six lane-25 metre lap swimming pool with diving boards, a gymnasium, an artificial turf sports field, fitness facilities, a cafe and free Wi-Fi.

Photo Album (http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/residents-vips-turn-out-for-opening-of-barrhavens-minto-recreation-complex)

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/residents-vips-turn-out-for-opening-of-barrhavens-minto-recreation-complex

[ars]

No pics of the finished exterior?

[waterloowarrior]

this is from the City's twitter account
http://static.ow.ly/photos/normal/7L8x9.jpg
https://twitter.com/ottawacity/status/538708752745373696

[ars]

this is from the City's twitter account
http://static.ow.ly/photos/normal/7L8x9.jpg
https://twitter.com/ottawacity/status/538708752745373696

Ugh not a big fan, looks so much different from the renders(as expected). This building is going to look worse and worse as the years go by.

[canabiz]

Ugh not a big fan, looks so much different from the renders(as expected). This building is going to look worse and worse as the years go by.

I don't have anything negative to say about your comment because beauty is in the eyes of the beholder but as a nearby resident, I take a glass half-full approach and welcome this new facility to the area.

It is much needed because Walter Baker Sports Complex has served as the primary recreational facility for Barrhaven residents for as long as I have lived here (almost 8 years) and it is simply bursting at the seams.

[ars]

I don't have anything negative to say about your comment because beauty is in the eyes of the beholder but as a nearby resident, I take a glass half-full approach and welcome this new facility to the area.

It is much needed because Walter Baker Sports Complex has served as the primary recreational facility for Barrhaven residents for as long as I have lived here (almost 8 years) and it is simply bursting at the seams.

Don't get me wrong, it's a massive upgrade from Walter Baker (I had to drive by that place daily a few years ago), but I just think this new sports complex looks really tacky.

[canabiz]

We played badminton tonight and it was good. Not too many players so we didn't have to wait for the court. It cost $3.00/adult/session (19:30 - 21:00 every Saturday night) and there is no pass for gym activities (badminton/basketball)

My wife wasn't too impressed with the Pool and the gym. They could be bigger. She's also disappointed there is no sauna while I wish there was a squash court or 2. Oh well, I guess we just have to drive a bit up to Walter Baker if we want to partake in those activities.

The 2 rinks are nice though, I'll sharpen my skates and give it a whirl soon. Can't wait to see the soccer field in the spring/summer.