Legacy Building Solutions completes The Venue at River Cree Resort and Casino near Edmonton

SOUTH HAVEN, MN — Legacy Building Solutions has announced completion of The Venue, a multi-purpose event center at the River Cree Resort and Casino near Edmonton, Canada. In addition to engineering and manufacturing the 28,000-square-foot tension-fabric rigid steel frame structure, the firm also acted as general contractor for the project, doing earthwork and foundations at the site. The demanding design program was executed on a fast-track construction schedule, minimizing downtime for the popular resort.

Clad in durable PE fabric, the 140’ x 200’ building is home to a variety of entertainment, commercial, and business gatherings. The main floor has a seating capacity of 2,200 for stage productions and 1,200 when 8-person round tables and chairs are set up for conventions. Tied in to the rigid steel frame of the building, a mezzanine level holds 300 people in VIP boxes; two stairways provide access and egress. In addition to these structural loads, Legacy’s team of in-house engineers designed the building to stand up to the infamous Chinook winds that gust through the area at speeds in excess of 60 mph.

All the amenities of a conventionally constructed building are present in the River Cree project, demonstrating the versatility of the Legacy system. A 40’ x 200’ foyer structure forms the public entrance to the hall. Adjoining the main building, a lean-to houses a green room and bar. A 10’ x 18’ overhead door gives direct access from the rear loading dock to the backstage area, streamlining the set-up and breakdown of bulky equipment and sets; another 10’ x 18’ door is located on the sidewall, facilitating an easy move-in for trade show displays on the main floor.

While theatrical buildings often have a sloped floor, the River Cree structure has a flat floor. This allows the facility to host meetings and trade expos, which require the installation of tables, kiosks, and booths. To preserve the quality of the audience experience during stage shows, Legacy’s designers raised the stage from the standard 42-inch height to 50 inches, maintaining sightlines. Such functional flexibility allows River Cree to book a full yet varied schedule of events, maintaining a steady revenue stream.

The acoustics—a critical aspect of any performance venue—have passed muster by both musicians and the neighbors. A previous building on the site (since demolished) had drawn complaints from the community about noise leaking during concerts. With its batt insulation and interior liner, the Legacy structure channels crisp, clear sound throughout the hall, but not beyond its walls. The building’s acoustic properties were further refined by a special noise-absorbing admix that was added to the concrete before the floor slab was poured. The reflective white liner also enhances colored stage lighting and special effects, such as fog machines.

Legacy Building Solutions designs, manufactures, engineers, and installs large-scale custom fabric structures for a wide range of industries, including the aviation, recreational, military, and agricultural sectors. A pioneer in the use of a rigid steel frame for fabric structures, the company was founded in 2010 by a team with more than a century of expertise in the tension fabric building business.

Headquartered in South Haven, Minnesota, Legacy Building Solutions provides services worldwide. Committed to sustainability and best management practices, the firm has achieved ISO 9001:2008 and CSA 660 certifications.