Competition Result for the New Saint-Laurent Sports Complex in Montreal

The Montreal borough of Saint-Laurent announced the winning project of the Québec-wide architecture competition for its future sports complex. Of the four concepts proposed, the jury chose the one submitted by the team Saucier + Perrotte Architectes – Hughes Condon Marler Architects/SNC Lavalin.

“The new building will meet needs that have long been voiced by our residents and the many volunteers working with the clubs and associations that offer sports activities to our community. We are very excited at the prospect of having this new facility, which, along with a new library, will further strengthen the civic vocation of Boulevard Thimens. I congratulate the competition’s winning team, and in passing, salute all the finalists, as well as the members of the jury and the technical committee,” explained the mayor of Saint-Laurent and vice-chair of the Ville de Montréal Executive Committee, Mr. Alan DeSousa.

The winning team’s proposal distinguished itself from the others by the quality of its architectural gesture, the simplicity of the concept, the creation of a distinctively urban branding image and wayfinding strategy, its adherence to the surface areas of the facilities, the effectiveness of its sustainable development strategies and its potential for change.

“By its very nature, an architecture competition sparks creativity and innovation. The four finalist teams responded brilliantly to the challenge we launched by submitting exceptionally high-calibre concepts. We selected the project that in our view best meets our specific functional and technical needs and that blends in most harmoniously with the environment. The large structural volumes of the proposed new sports complex create a powerful visual and physical link between the site’s natural and functional elements. Measured against these criteria, the winning team’s proposal was in a class of its own,” commented Mr. Richard Garneau, sports journalist and jury chair.

During his speech, Mayor Tremblay confirmed that “this sports complex represents one of the various initiatives we are taking to support families by offering them neighbourhood facilities. It is our wish to provide them with a living environment that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle. This design competition will give Saint-Laurent residents a sports complex that combines innovation with sustainable development.”

The building, which will have a surface area of approximately 14,500 square meters, will be located on the Boulevard Thimens municipal axis and linked to the Émile-Legault pavilion of École secondaire Saint-Laurent, part of the Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys. It will house, among other facilities, an indoor soccer field, a 25-meter swimming pool and a leisure pool, a gymnasium, a fitness room and several other spaces, including a multi-purpose room. In compliance with Montréal’s policy on sustainable development for municipal buildings, the Borough will require that the new facility obtain LEED Gold certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

See floor plans, sections and elevations of this building in the image gallery below. Images courtesy of Building Montréal UNESCO City of Design.