For a neighborhood not accustomed to the idea of a community center, Burnaby, British Columbia, was in for a treat when the new Edmonds Community Centre and Fred Randall Pool opened with 95,000 square feet of pristine multi-use space. Leaving the sustainable and architectural charms aside—for now—the community had plenty to get excited about, even if you focus on just the six-lane, 25-meter pool, a leisure pool, warm swing and therapy lanes, a lazy river with two channels and double water slides.

But the center was about far more than a state-of-the-art aquatic center. Along with the community pool, a 12,000-square-foot twin gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms, child spaces, art rooms, fitness centers and studios and a social central atrium helped fill out the remainder of the space. “I was in the upper lobby one night and an older gentleman came along with a big smile on his face,” says Wendy Scott, former assistant director of recreation for the city of Burnaby. “Out of the blue he said to me, ‘Isn’t this building amazing?’”

It can be hard to tell if fans of the building enjoy all the amenities or the LEED Silver attributes that include radiant heating, a white-roof membrane to minimize heat island effect, rain gardens and bioswales that collect storm water runoff, underground parking and a displacement ventilation system. The process for creating the new community center came after a hefty public feedback process with CEI Architecture, which led to a diversified facility to meet the social, recreational and cultural needs of a community. And they did it artfully.

The $32 million structure was under the watchful eye of the public the entire process. Using Lynden Door’s maple veneer doors was a part of the effort to show off the architectural, sustainable and functional benefits of the center. Veneers offer a rich look and a clearcoated urethane finish adds durability by sealing the doors on all six sides while allowing for flexibility for multiple wood choices and with matching wood or paint jambs and casings.

In the end, the folks of Burnaby now have a powerful idea of what a community center can and should be.