Kin Park Pavilion and Ice Rink

The pavilion at Kin Park in Fort St. John, BC supports year-round recreation, serving the park’s outdoor ice rink in winter and baseball diamond in summer. The defining feature of the pavilion is a cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof that spans 12 metres between two independent volumes like a bridge between piers. The clear-coated Spruce-Pine-Fir panels reveal the natural warmth of wood while contrasting with the dark masonry of the supports, creating a covered warming area open to both the ice rink and grass field. Smooth and refined against the textured bases, the exposed mass timber roof establishes a landmark presence in the park.

Offering the precision and quality assurance of offsite fabrication as well as a single point of responsibility on site, CLT was the structural solution that overcame the challenges of limited trade availability. The CLT’s monolithic character eliminates small components such as trim and soffit boards which are vulnerable to vandalism and freeze thaw cycles. Its smooth planes also eliminate any concern of bird nesting in soffit areas. 

The flanking volumes contain program functions: one provides Zamboni and baseball equipment storage, while the other houses public washrooms. Constructed of durable concrete block clad in obsidian-coloured brick laid in a Flemish bond pattern, they ground the pavilion while allowing the CLT canopy to remain the defining architectural gesture. A halo of fireplace, heating, and lighting elements is suspended within the space, animating the sheltered interior without touching the timber planes.