Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, announced federal funding for the Centre. As the fully integrated and collaborative design team for the project, DIALOG was pleased to support the successful application for grant funding from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program.
—Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism, Associate Minister of Finance, Member of Parliament for Edmonton CentreAccessible outdoor spaces are vital to local communities; fostering connections, and improving the mental and physical health of residents. Edmonton’s River Valley is no exception. The new River Valley Outdoor Activity Center will provide inclusive cultural and sport experiences, accessible by Edmontonians all year round.
Once complete, the new River Valley Outdoor Activity Centre will be a welcoming and inclusive carbon-neutral, net-zero community space for everyone — from those facing barriers to Olympic-level athletes. Connected to the trail system of Canada’s largest urban park network and Edmonton’s Valley Line LRT, this Centre will serve the community it inhabits.
Led by the Edmonton Ski Club, the Centre will enable community partners to offer sports and cultural programming, including the Edmonton Folk Festival, Free Play for Kids, KidSport Edmonton and the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta. Through design and programming, the Centre responds to and provides meaningful progress towards the Truth and Reconciliation Community of Canada Calls to Action 87-91.
The project is pursuing Zero Carbon Building certification will be energy, resource and thermally efficient. The design showcases embodied-carbon-reduction strategies such as renewable energy generation and heavy-timber construction, which lends itself to the alpine aesthetic of the Centre, drawing inspiration from the surrounding Rocky Mountains.
Large balconies on the second floor immerse the users with the backdrop of the Muttart Conservatory, Downtown Edmonton, and the River Valley. The new lodge nestles itself in scale with the adjacent Cloverdale Community while standing out as an attractive community node.
—Sandy Fleming, Edmonton Ski Club Board PresidentThe Edmonton Ski Club is passionately committed to providing affordable outdoor recreation opportunities to families and individuals of all abilities. With support from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, we will build on our 111-year legacy to offer high quality, inclusive programming in collaboration with our many community partners, in a modern, inclusive and environmentally responsible facility.”
Construction is slated to begin in Spring 2023 with a target open date of Winter 2023.