Cambridge Recreation Centre and Library

The Cambridge Recreation Centre & Library is a transformative 2-storey, 112,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose community facility - designed to bring recreation, learning, and public spaces together under one roof. 

Built on 32.5-acre site, the design was shaped by extensive public engagement and collaboration between the City of Cambridge, school boards, and library system.

Mass Timber for Modern Civic Architecture 

The building uses a mass timber/steel hybrid system and incorporates a 5-ply cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof deck, supported on open-web steel joists (OWSJ). 

Combining mass timber with steel is a practical, cost-effective way to bring warmth and sustainability to a building
The complex includes a wide range of amenities, all supported by mass timber elements that deliver warmth and structural efficiency, including:

•    10-lane, 25m competition pool
•    Warm-water leisure and therapy pool 
•    3 FIBA-certified gymnasiums
•    Running/walking track and fitness area 
•    Concession area and administrative spaces
•    Trails, Gardens, Basket & Pickleball Courts & Playgrounds
•    A new 12,600 sq. ft. Cambridge Public Library branch with study rooms, program areas, a reading garden, and views to the landscaped courtyard

Mass timber allowed large spans, rapid installation, and reduced disruption during construction - key benefits for a complex of this scale.

Building a Destination for Future Generations

The project is targeting LEED Gold certification, with aspirations for Net-Zero Carbon performance through low-carbon materials, high-efficiency systems, and climate-resilient design strategies. 

When it opens in Fall 2026, the Cambridge Recreation Complex & Library will be one of Ontario’s most significant new public facilities.