Westside Regional Recreation Centre, Calgary, Alberta

The Westside Regional Recreational Centre was developed on 20 acre site near the City of Calgary and designed to provide complete leisure and recreational opportunities to the residents of the area. Because swimming pool design is such a specialized field of architecture, it was imperative that a firm with a proven track record of excellence in the design of aquatic, leisure, and recreation facilities be included in the design team. VDA, as the most experienced Canadian architect in the design and construction of such facilities, was included as an essential part of the design team.

This facilities aquatic component contains all the elements that make modern pools so popular. The centrepiece of the free from leisure pool is a large wave pool with four computer-controlled air chambers that produce different wave motions. With its loops, dips, and open flume, swimmers of all ages enjoy the wild ride on the waterslide. The figure-eight lazy river and combined vortex and bubble pit allows swimmers to play in the currents and to catch rides along the river's flow, while providing gentle physical therapy for those who perhaps can not tolerate the hotter temperatures of the spa pool. A separate tots pool allows the little ones to be part of the action while staying safe and comfortable.

With a wide variety of activities offered, the Westside Recreational Centre has proven to be a very successful and popular facility.