Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre
Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre
The highly anticipated Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre in Edmonton has officially opened. Constructed by Clark Builders, this modern, state of the art facility marks a major step forward for Edmonton. This recreation centre includes a high performance sports centre that brings together everyday fitness, leisure, and elite training within one vibrant, inclusive space welcoming people of all athletic levels.
Architectural Design
Designed in a joint venture by hcma architecture + design and Dub Architects (in collaboration with FaulknerBrowns), the building features a striking copper/bronze cladding and a dynamic roofline that mimics a twisting ribbon. The material choices and carefully considered massing work together to beautifully express the history of Coronation Park. This building creates a focal point that ties the fragmented green space together while respecting its mature landscape.
Engineering Excellence
Williams Engineering oversaw the mechanical and electrical systems, with POWER PAC managing the electrical scope and RJC Engineers contributing structural and additional expertise. Together, they created a high performance, energy efficient system targeting LEED Gold certification (supporting everything from the climate controlled velodrome to comfortable, accessible spaces for all ages). The ~ 178,680 sq. ft. facility integrates with the newly rehabilitated Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre via a tunnel. This is North America’s first indoor triathlon training centre! It features a 250 metre Category A UCI-certified velodrome (the only one of its kind in Western Canada), a 333 metre running/walking track, a 50 metre pool, fitness centre, bouldering wall, urban court, indoor playground, studios, courts, and more. You can tell that this project was designed for for everyday use by Edmontonians and to house world-class events.
Key Details on the Budget
Budget: City Council approved $153.41 million in December 2021 for the full project.
Outcome: The project was completed under budget and ahead of schedule. Construction began in spring 2022 and finished by the end of 2025 (originally targeted for 2026). The facility opened to the public on January 27, 2026.
Scope: With a new state of the art recreation centre featuring a velodrome (indoor cycling track), multi-purpose sports spaces, fitness areas, the project also included integration with the renovated Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre.
What was fun about this project for me is that I had the opportunity to photograph the project across seasons. I originally shot the exterior drone footage in the summer of 2025 to capture the building’s integration into the park. In January of 2026 I returned for additional video clips and pictures prior to the grand opening.
The second shoot really brought the people side of the design to life. It was great to see how the open sight lines, social stairs, and flexible spaces naturally support everything. With access to high performance training facilities to general family activities, a well thought out designed was created where people can stay active year round in Edmonton’s climate. While the surrounding park vision is still evolving, it’s exciting to imagine how this facility will continue to grow as a central part of Edmonton in the years ahead.
