The renovated Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre in Brantford, Ont. will be one of the first commercial projects to use cross-laminated timber (CLT) in the province.

The 22,296-m² (240,000-sf) two-phase project is scheduled for completion next month.

A roof assembly above the aquatic centre is being constructed of reclaimed and repurposed CLT panels. The materials, used in residential and non-residential projects, are stacked platform-frame wood assemblies comparable to suspended-concrete slabs. The CLT panels will be installed over existing glued laminated-timber (glulam) beams. Other work includes:

• expansion of the aquatic areas;
• addition of a therapy and 25-m (82-ft) pools;
• fitness and dry land training centre; and
• additional change rooms.

The already-completed first phase saw the inclusion of multi-purpose rooms, a restaurant, and a new four-pad arena to replace the original facility.

Originally built in the 1970s, the sports centre’s renovation and expansion was designed by CS&P Architects in association with MMMC Inc. Architects.