Lunenberg County Lifestyle Centre opens

A multi-purpose recreational and cultural centre opened in Bridgewater on the south shore of Nova Scotia on September 16. Designed by by Diamond-Schmitt with Lydon Lynch architects, the Lunenberg County Lifestyle Centre is designed to provide a wide variety of sports and community health facilities. It houses an NHL-size arena with seating for 1,200 people as well as an aquatic centre and training pool, library, cultural and administrative spaces.

Being located next to a forest and near the LaHave River, the 100,000-square foot building is designed to maximize the views of the landscape. The galleria acts as a central unifying spine and has a 45-metre long bowed ceiling lined with maple wood and referencing the Bluenose III schooner that is anchored in nearby Lunenberg.

The building is designed for LEED Gold certification, with features such as heat recovery from the arena to warm the pools, solar panels on the reflective membrane roof, natural ventilation and geo-exchange energy.

The engineering and design team includes Campbell Comeau (structural), M & R (mechanical and electrical), Ekistics (landscape and civil), Aquaplans (aquatics), Custom Ice (arena), R.J. Bartlett (code) and Aercoustics (acoustics).