University of Toronto, Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport
Toronto, Ontario
In Collaboration with Patkau Architects
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Gymnasium (2000 Spectator Seats), High-Performance Fitness Conditioning Space, Olympic Weightlifting, Multipurpose Rooms, Clinic Spaces: Sport Medicine Clinic, Blood Clinic, Imaging Suite (MRI & X-Ray), Treatment and Examination Rooms, Sports Psychology Lab, Research Studios, Medical Offices
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Design/Build Contractor: EllisDon
Structural: Blackwell
Mechanical / Electrical: Smith + Andersen
Civil: EMC
Landscape: PLANT -
2016 Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) Excellence Award: Honorable Mention
2015 Ontario Association of Architects (OAA): Design Excellence Award
2015 American School & University Architectural Portfolio Awards: Special Citation
2015 Athletic Business: Facilities of Merit Design Award
2015 Toronto Urban Design: Award of Excellence
2015 Canadian Consulting Engineering: Award of Excellence
In a tight — and tightly zoned — infill site on the University of Toronto campus, the Goldring Centre is the final phase of the Varsity Stadium redevelopment, adding 140,000 sf of programming to the university’s health and wellness efforts, and promoting the same values in the surrounding city.
The Centre is designed to be visually open to its neighbourhood. The stadium-side façade includes a glass curtain wall that extends across multiple levels, offering elevated views onto the playing field below and, seen from the exterior, inviting views into a cross-section of the building and the activities within. Sports and training facilities include a competition basketball/volleyball gymnasium, a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning centre, and an Olympic weightlifting gym, as well as multipurpose rooms and classrooms. Also included within the structure is a sports medicine clinic with research studios, a sports psychology lab, treatment and examination rooms —and independent access through a separate lobby, which allows the clinic to better serve both student body and public.
The street landscape is designed as a plaza to host large-scale athletic and student events, and closed to vehicular traffic. At grade, the Goldring Centre preserves an active student realm and enhances existing pedestrian campus passages, both through and alongside the new building.
Tiered ranks of exercise equipment mirror the raked Varsity Stadium opposite. This city-scaled room is visually open, displaying the fitness and training activities within and inviting participation.
Setbacks apply only above grade. Sinking the gymnasium 10m below street level accommodates its full length and places 2.5m of its height above grade—the latter providing enough clearance for competition volleyball as well as clerestories that allow in daylight and views from the sidewalk.
The Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport was designed to support the future expansion of an academic tower. Currently under construction, the 15-storey mass timber tower will be the tallest academic timber structure in Canada.
