The Remington YMCA in Calgary’s Quarry Park is a landmark community hub that brings together health, wellness, and recreation under one roof—and Western Archrib’s glulam timbers play a key structural and visual role in making it all possible. Designed to foster openness and connectivity, the 94,000-square-foot facility features a range of amenities including leisure and competition pools, a hot tub and sauna, a gymnasium, a running track, fitness areas, a public library, and daycare. These spaces are intentionally linked through a central circulation spine that maintains open sightlines and easy access between all areas, reinforcing a sense of inclusion and shared experience.

Glulam timber supplied by Western Archrib is prominently used throughout the building, providing the structural backbone for long-span areas like the natatorium and gym while also adding warmth and natural character to the urban setting. Timber’s inherent sustainability also contributed to the project’s LEED Gold certification goals, with the carbon-sequestering properties of wood complementing energy-saving features such as a combined heat and power co-generation system.

Inclusivity was foundational to the facility’s design, most notably reflected in Alberta’s first universal change room, a barrier-free space that accommodates people of all abilities, orientations, and family structures with oversized private stalls and a thoughtful layout that removes the pressure of gendered spaces. This inclusive philosophy is echoed in the overall programming of the facility, where clear lines of sight, natural light, and integrated activity zones work together to create a welcoming, supportive environment for all users.

Through the use of long-span Douglas fir glulam beams, Western Archrib helped realize the project’s architectural vision of connection, transparency, and warmth—contributing both the structural performance and biophilic quality needed to bring this inclusive, community-focused space to life.