Arcadis, in partnership with WTI and Clark Builders, has delivered a new multi-million-dollar Yellowknife Aquatic Centre.

Spanning more than 5,295 m² (57,000 sf), the centre features a diverse range of water amenities for recreational and competitive use, including a splash pool, a three-lane leisure pool, a lazy river, a therapy pool, an eight-lane competition pool, and an indoor waterslide.

Constructed on bedrock, the centre’s steel-framed structure required rock-socketed piles, suspended structural slabs, and a concrete foundation system to support its complex aquatic systems.

During the final design phase, the deep end of the pool was strategically shifted from bedrock to a deep sand dune, reducing the need for blasting and allowing for a full basement to house the aquatic mechanical room.

Collaborating closely with Yellowknife Dene First Nation, the team incorporated Indigenous perspectives and symbolism into the space.

The design integrates photovoltaic (PV) panels, solar hot water heating, and triple-glazed curtain walls to maximize energy efficiency and reduce the building’s environmental footprint.

The facility’s walls required a high insulation value to withstand the subarctic temperatures. The design team worked with Soprema to develop a custom wall system that combined rigid and semi-rigid insulation.