Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of North Bay highlighted its use of mass timber construction Tuesday during a site tour of the new Community and Recreation Centre.
WoodWorks and the Canadian Wood Council hosted the event, which showcased the installation of nail-laminated timber panels and outlined the environmental and economic benefits of mass timber.
“It’s especially meaningful to see Northern Ontario wood on display in a landmark project here in North Bay,” said Steven Street, executive director of WoodWorks Ontario. “Mass timber supports local jobs, strengthens supply chains and demonstrates how renewable resources can deliver high-performance, low-carbon buildings.”
The project comes as Ontario’s building code now allows mass timber structures up to 18 storeys. Advocates say the change will make wood a more viable low-carbon alternative to steel and concrete.
Mayor Peter Chirico said the facility was designed to be energy-efficient and environmentally responsible. The project is supported by a federal contribution of $35.2 million, including about $25.8 million from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund.
“This facility gives North Bay a sustainable space that really serves our community,” Chirico said.
The new recreation centre is being billed as the country’s first full-sized zero carbon recreational facility. Features include an all-electric heating and cooling system, CO2-based ice plant with heat recovery, and a design that uses 26 per cent less energy and produces nearly 50 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional buildings.
Pauline Rochefort, MP for Nipissing—Timiskaming, said the project shows how low-carbon and climate-conscious design can be integrated into community infrastructure.
Construction on the Community and Recreation Centre is ongoing.