Connecting the Community

HDR has completed analysis and conceptual feasibility planning for the Thornhill Civic Centre Redevelopment for the City of Calgary. The study was undertaken to explore the opportunities of the existing site in order to envision a new development that would better benefit the citizens of the surrounding community.

The concept for the new 640,000-square-foot Civic Centre is to integrate a typical recreation center program consisting of arenas, aquatics, gyms, etc., into a holistic development. Amenities to be incorporated include city services such as fire halls as well as residential, commercial and office functions that will serve as a catalyst for the transit-oriented development.

A combination of various public services will offer shared programming opportunities and new ways for the community to connect. The welcoming design aesthetic and pedestrian friendly layout further encourages public interaction, particularly for the 2,000-plus students who attend three schools located within the surrounding site.

The development targets LEED Gold certification and will achieve this by way of energy sharing between buildings as well as the incorporation of numerous passive and active sustainability features.

Owing to its integrated, transit-oriented layout, the new Civic Centre will serve as a beacon that identifies the development as a suburban center.