The Sargent Park Recreation Center was scheduled for a major renovation and new addition. The renovation project included moving the track from a dusty basement to a new second-floor glass area, a new fitness center, control desk and display millwork, bathrooms, meeting rooms, and lobby/lounge areas. The new addition would relocate the West End Library into the expanded facility and rebrand the multifunctional space as “The Cindy Klassen Recreation Center”.

These public spaces required a careful, thoughtful interior design process. The material, colour and design needed to consider the requirements of a full range of clientele, including seniors, children, and everyone in between.

Some materials from the existing building dictated our directions of material and colour, which we integrated into the new and renovated areas. The large expanse of tile floor in the lobby was a challenge to make attractive and interesting as a public-use area, because it also required a specific application to control the look of dirt and dust and make it slip resistant; the floors needed to look great for opening in our sloppy spring weather with many dignitaries in attendance.

The second-floor track and fitness area was also adding new areas to the building, providing a light-filled space that was designed to attract fitness enthusiasts.

The library floor plan of 3,850 square feet of new construction was designed to have the stacks be visible from the circulation desk to allow for limited staff to supervise the library for security reasons. A children’s area was located at the front of the library in an area that features limited traffic and controlled access, but still feels open. The glass wall between the library and the lounge area was designed with millwork displays of children’s material to both sides of the library and public open lounge area.

Synergy Interior Design envisioned indirect lighting for the library to provide the right lighting levels for the stacks and study reading functions without glare to the staff and users. This helps public spaces become warmer, attracting and retaining users due to less eyestrain and increased comfort.

The lounge seating in the library and study tables were located along the wall of windows for comfort. The common computer tables were strategically placed adjacent to the circulation desk for ease of staff to help users with the computers. We accomplished these design tasks while taking into consideration accessibility needs for all, offering both lower stacks and height-adjustable tables. And the results came in—the West End Library has doubled the original circulation after the relocation into the new space.

The community responded very favourably to the addition and renovations and the Cindy Klassen Recreation Center and the West End Library remains a popular facility in Winnipeg.