Design
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This bird's eye view of the plaza concept shows the two important elements of the project: the flexible gathering area and the skating rink/splashpad next to Queen Street.
Our concept draws inspiration from the St. Mary’s River Rapids, a significant geological feature that is intertwined with this City’s history.
Formed during the last ice age as melting ice-waters breached a land dam near Gros Cap, the rapids became a focal point for the region’s first inhabitants who called it Baa-wit-i-gong, or “place of the rapids”. The area has been a gathering and harvesting place for people for centuries.
Post-colonization, Sault Ste. Marie became an industrial centre, owing to the St. Mary’s River, to
hydro power and regional resources. Today, the rapids remain an important experience in the City - with ships passing, fish and water levels ebbing and flowing.
Our concept celebrates the dynamic St. Mary’s River rapids, using their form as inspiration for the plaza design, with shapes, patterns and storytelling within the space.
The plaza concept can be divided into two main rooms. The upper room, fronting Queen Street, hosts the main activity generator – the skating rink / splashpad and associated support building. The 750m2 rink is set back from Queen Street and ringed with seating as this will become a very popular place in town.
The support building will house public washrooms, a skate change room, mechanical equipment and a Zamboni.
To the west of the rink is the main north-south walkway, which links Queen Street to Bay Street through the site.
A conceptual rendering of a winter evening of skating in the plaza, looking south from Queen Street.