The McGill University pool was originally located on the upper floor of the sports centre and consisted of six 25-yard (22.86-metre) long swimming lanes. To make it eligible for international competitions, it was relocated to a lower level, which made it possible to offer 8 corridors, each 25 metres in length. The project also included the expansion of the deck around the pool, the addition of new locker rooms, rooms for monitors, storage rooms, a classroom and a mezzanine with stands for 100 spectators.
For the structural engineer, this was a very complex mandate since it involved a complete reorganisation of the building’s structure, particularly the floor to which the pool was to be relocated.
The structural challenges of this insertion included demolishing the old swimming pool adjacent to Memorial Hall and constructing substantial spans to support the floor above the new pool. The intervention on the envelope also included a restoration and a reconstitution of the existing wall elements.
For this project, NCK provided complete structural engineering consulting services.
