Competition Gadbois Centre
location: Montreal, Canada
client: City of Montreal in collaboration with the Sud-Ouest borough
Open competition
The Challenge
The city of Montréal, in collaboration with the Sud-Ouest borough, has launched a competition for the renovation and partial expansion of the Gadbois Centre, including social and sports spaces to encourage physical activity. The project involves the rehabilitation of 5,800 m² and the addition of approximately 1,700 m², aiming for LEED certification. Aging, labyrinthine, and poorly integrated into the neighborhood, the centre is set to be transformed into a functional, attractive, and accessible space that highlights its heritage and strengthens its role within the urban fabric.
The Response
Our proposal aims to reposition the Gadbois Centre as a true urban and community hub, based on three main axes. The new complex integrates harmoniously into the neighborhood to the east and the St-Pierre Woonerf, creating a link between the history of the Lachine Canal and the current urban fabric. An uninterrupted pedestrian promenade connects Gadbois Park, the St-Pierre Woonerf, and the canal, promoting active transportation and fostering community engagement with the site. Inside, the triple gymnasium and gymnastics area are integrated into the existing building to form a central agora that is bright, welcoming, and legible, celebrating the convergence of users. The swimming pool is modernized within a glass enclosure aligned with the neighborhood, balancing conservation and contemporary design.
This approach combines urban analysis, user-centered design, and optimization of existing spaces, while respecting the budget and phasing. The result is a renewed Gadbois Centre that is inclusive and recognizable, strengthening the sense of belonging, revitalizing sports activity, and enhancing local heritage.