Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre
Oakville, ONT, Canada
Project Overview
Amid the 2020 pandemic, the new construction of the Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre persevered and opened on-time and on budget in the fall of 2020 despite various challenges.
The aquatics area of the Centre features two Natare all-welded stainless steel pool systems, vacuum sand filters, PVC membrane pool lining, and perimeter gutter systems.
The 25m lap pool and warm water pool are the first complete Natare pool systems in Canada.
Additional amenities include a double gymnasium, fitness centre, universal change rooms, multipurpose meeting rooms, a café, and more.
Located on the former site of Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, the 53,000-square-foot facility is fully accessible, LEED-certified, and designed with the community’s input.
Fabrication
Fabrication of each Natare component was completed in phases to match the project’s construction schedule.
The filtration systems were fabricated in-house at Natare’s manufacturing facility (Indianapolis) during the first phase so construction of the area where the mechanical room is located could be completed and closed off.
Once the filters were finished, the pool wall panels and gutter systems were fabricated in Indianapolis and then welded together on-site in Canada.
Installation
While construction on the Community Centre itself began in September 2018, the aquatics center portion of the facility started in August 2019.
Despite delays due to COVID-19, supply chain issues and labor shortages, the progress of the facility continued, allowing it to open on time at a limited capacity in October 2020.
Awards
In 2023, the Town of Oakville announced that the facility won the Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) Aquatics Award for Excellence in Facility Design.
The award not only recognizes the design, sustainability, and inclusivity the facility provides but also the innovative ways it meets the Oakville community’s needs.
In the spring of 2024, it was announced that the facility earned the LEED Gold Certification which is a “globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement, for buildings and spaces that improve the health and resilience of communities and the environment.” (Diamond Schmitt)
It was a great collaboration among Natare, Austin Carroll Pool Construction Ltd., Aquatic Design and Engineering, Diamond Schmitt Architects, and the Town of Oakville to bring this beautiful facility to life and support Oakville’s residents’ health and wellness needs for many years to come.
Solutions Used for Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre
AWS Pool System: The original design called for the pools to be constructed using concrete and tile, but the Town of Oakville learned more about stainless steel pools and how long-term maintenance costs could be reduced. While these vessels are believed to be more expensive than traditional construction methods, the future costs associated with annual maintenance that can cause downtime are dramatically reduced.
Stainless Steel Pool Gutters: The MS Series 1200 Roll-Out perimeter pool gutter system was chosen for this project. The MS gutters are fabricated for use in swimming pools that see higher volumes and turnover rates, such as the Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre. Dirt load and debris are much higher in recreational environments; therefore, a continuous gutter system is imperative to ensure clean, treated water is uniformly distributed to the entire rather than area around inlets. Built-in surge weirs also eliminated the need for costly surge tanks, which helped keep the budget intact.
Air Removal Conduit System for Chloramines: The perimeter pool gutter system features an integral air removal conduit system that removes chloramines from the air. Connected to the HVAC system, the chloramines are pulled directly through the conduit and are then pushed outside of the facility. With this system in place, the air quality and overall atmosphere of the aquatics facility is cleaner and makes it easier to breathe, majorly benefiting the staff and patrons.
PVC Membrane: Natare PVC membrane pool lining systems are specifically designed for commercial pools. In addition to the stainless steel pool wall panels that were installed, the PVC membrane gives the pool another watertight layer and reduces yearly maintenance costs you see with traditional plaster or paint. This project utilizes our White PVC membrane with black racing lanes and targets.
MicroFlo® Regenerative Vacuum Sand Filters: Two Natare filtration units were constructed for the Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre pools. Each one was prefabricated as a complete, ready-to-install unit based upon the requirements for each individual pool, reducing construction and installation time. Benefits of our MicroFlo filters include longer backwash cycles, reduced water consumption, energy and maintenance costs, and more.
GPM Polymer Grating: Since the facility is fully accessible, it was imperative that the grating around the two swimming pools would not interfere with any patrons using wheelchairs on the ramp. Therefore, two different GPM grating systems were used. The grating near the ramp is Comfort Flow Style #1 which has thicker slots that are parallel to the wall to ensure there is no interference with wheelchairs. The remainder of the grating around both pools is Competition Flow Style #4 which is thinner slots that are perpendicular to the wall. In addition, inlay depth markers were designed and included in the GPM grating giving the facility the proper markings around the perimeter of each pool.
