“Despite the longstanding status of hockey as “Canada’s game” and all its attendant history, little attention has been paid to the buildings necessary to hockey and its evolution,” writes hockey historian Jennifer Conway in her review of Architecture on Ice: A History of the Hockey Arena by Howard Shubert. Indeed, while the sport is a cornerstone of Canadian culture, it has historically played out in relatively nondescript structures, often converted barns or humble metal sheds — the exception being professional games, which are hosted in more monumental, albeit generic arena settings. Vastly different in scale, these spaces are unified by their ability to bring people together to share their love of the game, whether as players or avid fans. This same ethos was the guiding principle behind the Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre, an 8500-square-metre community rink in Burnaby, B.C., designed by Vancouver firm hcma architecture + design and completed in March 2024.

From the street, the building’s architectural language signals that the Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre is no ordinary arena: Though its black standing-seam siding and roofing recalls the humble metal sheds of small-town rinks, its bold geometry introduces a unique twist. The architects began with a rectangular form and then rotated the sawtooth roof to bring in northern light (more on that later). At the corners, the cladding peels away to offer a peek of the action inside.

The project’s tight site in Burnaby’s Southgate neighbourhood also influenced the building’s unconventional layout. The arena’s two NHL-sized rinks, with 200 seats each, are placed perpendicularly in an L-shaped configuration; a central lobby unites them, creating a sense of openness in the facility while animating the street front. Second-floor viewing galleries offer a warm space to take in the game.

The rinks are where the architecture shines. Facilitated by a flexible hybrid steel-timber structural system, the angular roof creates north-facing clerestories that filter in natural light without impacting the ice quality. Left exposed, the mass timber structure fosters a warm and inviting space for community gathering.

But unlike most arenas, the Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre offers far more than just a rink. Alongside typical programs like a skate shop and concessions stand, the lobby and multipurpose rooms are designed to be versatile enough to host a range of activities, from pickleball to playoff watch parties — plus, there are informal play areas for children directly behind the viewing galleries. An outdoor patio extends the facility during the warmer months.

In keeping with the facility’s namesake (Brown, a fierce advocate for social justice and equality, was the first Black woman to be elected to Canada’s provincial legislature and run for leadership of a federal political party), inclusivity is at the heart of this public space. Along with the usual interventions — fully accessible and gender-neutral washrooms and changerooms, wide circulation paths and accessible furnishings — hcma also designed the high-contrast wayfinding with braille and tactile signage. Building upon their work for the City of Burnaby’s interior signage style guide, the wayfinding system utilizes established pictograms that address language barriers for people with low English literacy skills.

PHOTO: Quarterhorse Solutions

Not only is the signage practical, it also introduces a playful sensibility. The firm’s Communication Design team drew from the visual language of hockey drills and notations made by coaches, whose organic, squiggling lines made their way into the window decals on the rink. Other pre-game rituals like wrapping hockey sticks inspired the angled line motif that defines the rink labels and hot-rolled steel change room numbers. The latter are rendered in a vibrant red that is echoed elsewhere in the space.

PHOTO: Quarterhorse Solutions

Sustainability was another key objective for the City of Burnaby. By optimizing the form and orientation, employing strategically placed glazing and shading, and ensuring an efficient and airtight envelope, hcma was able to reduce the building’s energy load. Taking these environmental strategies a step further, an on-site rain garden aids in stormwater retention and filtration, and excess heat is captured from the refrigeration system and reused. All of these design features will ensure the building can be utilized for years to come.

Situated centrally on pedestrian, cycling and transit routes, the facility will be easily accessible to its community. “Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre is more than an arena; it’s a space designed to foster community through recreation and high-performance sport,” says hcma principal Paul Fast. “The Centre’s ambition is to become an essential fixture in Burnaby’s Southgate community, supporting the next generation of athletes, weekend warriors, and recreation enthusiasts alike.”