Espace Philippe-Boucher refrigerated skating rink

This new refrigerated skating rink, built to NHL size regulations, features a large cover to offer a weather-protected skating surface all year long. It was designed for skating in winter and pickleball or basketball the rest of the year.

The architectural design hinges on a large roof with a hybrid wood-steel frame. It consists of beams of glued-laminated beams and decking supported by hybrid wood-steel trusses with variable-inertia top chords that rest on V-shaped wood columns. This system provides 30 metres of clearance to accommodate and cover the rink, players’ benches, and bleachers. The overhangs on both sides keep water away from the structure to minimize the amount of maintenance required for the wood structure and maximize the service life of all building components.