June 25, 2007

Supply

Rustic Steel barns hub of community activity

Jean Sorensen

correspondent

CHILLIWACK

From the highway, the series of long, low red barns, rustic in their traditional design, seem like just another element of this agricultural community were wide-open fields, browsing livestock, and roadside stands with homegrown goods are a sharp contrast to metropolitan Vancouver only a few hours away.

But, the traditional looking barns with their old-world charm and wooden structure feel are a bit of country-style deception. “They are not really heritage buildings,” says architect Ted Murray, who designed the series of four barn-like structures joined together for the City of Chilliwack’s Heritage Park. In fact, they are one very modern steel structure, which now serves as a hub of social activity and an exhibition centre for a host of different city and Fraser Valley events.

Chilliwack Heritage Park

The buildings are actually one very modern steel structure, which now serves as a hub of social activity and an exhibition centre for a host of different Chilliwack and Fraser Valley events.

“We wanted something that was reflective of the agricultural heritage,” says Eric Dyck, the city’s project manager for the 2001- opened centre, which utilizes steel not just in the structural component but in the exterior as well. It offers 150,000 square feet of building space divisible into four areas, two with a concrete floor and another two with dirt floors.

Opting for a steel structure is a highly cost efficient means of achieving those open areas required for shows, events, and other community activities, says Murray. “The advantage is that you have these large uninterrupted spaces and it’s column-free. It makes for a very economical building,” he says. The economics continue into the life of the building. Dyck says that although the building is into its sixth year of operation, the maintenance has been minimal.

“There is no question that the building has performed well so far,” he says. “We incorporated into the building concrete walls that go from grade to eight feet above grade and there is steel cladding on that. We used the concrete because there is a lot of livestock and equipment being used in and around the building and this was extremely durable and easy to clean,” he said.

Chilliwack Heritage Park

The design provides the appearance of four barns side by side, reminiscent of the structures seen along the country landscape.

Some upgrades were performed to accommodate some specialized events, but the building’s versatility works well for both smaller and larger events or shows where events occur simultaneously. For these larger events, the venue can accommodate phases of an event at the same time.

An equestrian event might be held in the arena, a supplier’s trade show next door on the concrete floor and a social event or reception for riders in another part of the facility.

The areas can be opened or partitioned according to the event requirements.

The Chilliwack Heritage Park was created when the city’s old site was redeveloped for a new ice arena and swimming pool. It moved to a new seven acre site located just off Trans-Canada Highway at Exit 116.

“We used a design build process that went out for an expression of interest. We short listed three teams and they came up with their ideas,” he said.

Murray says one of the challenges was that the size of the structure was “too big to look like one barn”. As a result, the design provides the appearance of four barns side by side, reminiscent of the structures seen along the country landscape.

“The colours (red with white trim) really make the buildings stand out,” he says, adding he’s impressed with the variety of events that the venue has hosted. They range from the RCMP Musical Ride, to RV shows, indoors motor-cross racing and local events such as fairs.

The buildings are the focal point on the site, which now also houses outdoor space for concerts and festivals, a 5/8th mile track, and a rodeo arena.

The site also offers other facilities such as a tourism information centre and museum.

“It’s been a very successful building,” says Dyck, adding that the Chilliwack Arts Council, which manages the bookings for events at the barns are usually booked out on weekends 52 weeks of the year.

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