Surrey – On Thursday, the City of Surrey broke ground on the new Clayton Community Centre, a futuristic integrated service facility on track to become the first of its kind in North America to achieve Passive House energy certification, and largest Passive House facility in Canada.
Located along 72 Avenue between 184 Street and 188 Street in the rapidly growing Clayton Heights neighbourhood, the centre has been designed to maximize energy efficiency and the protection of natural ecosystems. It will combine four City of Surrey community services—recreation, library, arts and parks—into a single 76,000-square foot facility. Designed by HCMA Architecture + Design, the project has been shortlisted in the World Architecture Festival’s Civic Future Projects category.
“The goal of the facility is to leverage service integration and promote connectivity, resulting in a barrier-free, flexible and adaptive space for all community members to enjoy together,” said Mayor Linda Hepner. “This innovative facility will not only play an important role in community life and identity of Clayton Heights, but also serve as an international icon in green building design.”
The facility—which is designed to feel like an extension of the surrounding forest and parkland—will feature a state-of-the-art heating and cooling system, triple-glazed windows and an exterior designed to minimize heat loss. The campus will include a great lawn, community garden, outdoor playground and sports court.
Inside, the unique mix of space will deliver arts and culture programming alongside branch library services and recreational activities. These key services will be supported by a range of shared social spaces and mix of supplementary spaces designed to facilitate community-led programming. Features include: music and recording studios; a community kitchen, workshop, tool sharing centre and rehearsal hall; a gymnasium and fitness centre; child-minding, preschool and childcare spaces; and a café.
The $43.5 million project, which included extensive public consultation, is expected to complete mid-2020. The City of Surrey gratefully acknowledges funding from Natural Resources Canada ($1.3 million), the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund ($175,000), and BC Hydro ($30,000).
For more information, visit Clayton Community Centre on surrey.ca.
