The Credit Union CUPLEX
North Battleford, Saskatchewan

Barr Ryder Architects & Interior Designers were commissioned by the City of North Battleford in February 2008, to develop the Battlefords Cultural & Recreation Complex project.

Our interactive “workshop” process was adopted to assist the development of the facility programs and included stakeholders, owner representatives, various planning representatives and City Council.

Through ongoing stakeholder workshops, analysis and evaluation, a fundamental switch in the building development process was approved by Council. A process was established to develop a Master Plan for the site that included the development of four individual facilities as opposed to the original four component multiplex facility. The proposed Master Plan for the facilities developed would provide for two facilities being constructed immediately and two facilities to be designed for a future design-build construction concept.

At this time, the project program includes the following components:

• An aquatics component complete with 2 waterslides, 6 lane competition pool, adventure river and wave pool
• A performance theatre with seating for 350 persons, multipurpose/rehearsal space and a variety of support areas.
• A curling component with 6 sheets of ice, lounge, change rooms and support spaces.
• A fieldhouse component complete with two indoor fields, change rooms and seating for 250 per field.

The focus of our site development was the establishment of a public square or courtyard bordered on three sides by building facades. The enclosed square concept has precedence throughout history and the world, creating important community spaces that become significant to the fabric of the City.

The proposed public square is centrally located surrounded by all of the buildings, and is intended to be a multipurpose space. Working with the City, the intention is that the square becomes a social and cultural hub in the community with connection to recreational trails, community facilities, retail areas, the Agricultural Society and future adjacent developments. It is intended that the public square will be the focus of many activities: Movies in the square, flea markets, farmers markets, concerts, outdoor theatre are a few of the many activities possible in their exciting public square.

Overall our building configuration reinforces the concept of a public square formed by the edges of the buildings.

An architectural wall creates a boundary to our square and connects all four buildings and is highlighted by a tower at the southeast corner of the site.

The entrance of each facility penetrates the boundary edge of the square opening up the wall, welcoming the public to the individual buildings. Each building is unified by a public architecture appropriate for each facility but unique to each function.

Overall, this new multipurpose facility is intended to be a central focus for the region, bringing the community and surrounding areas together.

This project is currently in construction.