Mass Timber Featured

North Bay’s New Community and Recreation Centre

 The City of North Bay hosted WoodWorks and the Canadian Wood Council today for a site tour and presentation at the new North Bay Community and Recreation Centre, which highlighted the use of mass timber construction and its potential role in sustainable building design.

Attendees had the opportunity to view the installation of nail-laminated timber panels and hear from WoodWorks and the Canadian Wood Council about the benefits of mass timber.

It’s especially meaningful to see Northern Ontario wood on display in a landmark project here in North Bay,” said Steven Street, Executive Director of WoodWorks Ontario. “Mass timber construction not only supports local jobs and communities, it also highlights the region’s manufacturing expertise and strengthens forest industry supply chains, demonstrating how homegrown, renewable resources can deliver high-performance, low-carbon buildings that benefit people, the environment, and regional economies. It is imperative during this time of economic uncertainty with our historic markets and trading partners that we understand we have the power to choose where our materials are sourced from.

WoodWorks and the Canadian Wood Council also highlighted recent updates to the Ontario Building Code, effective January 1, 2025, which now allow mass timber buildings up to 18 storeys. According to the organizations, these changes make wood a viable low-carbon alternative to traditional building materials such as steel and concrete.

“This facility was designed to be energy-efficient and environmentally responsible,” said Mayor Peter Chirico. “With federal support through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund, we’re able to give North Bay a space that’s sustainable and really serves our community.”

The Recreation and Community Centre is being supported by a total federal contribution of $35,198,810, including approximately $25.77 million from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program and approximately $9.4 million from the City’s strategic allocation of its annual Canada Community-Building Fund over several years.

“Our government is committed to ensuring that communities across Canada have access to safe, modern and sustainable infrastructure. The new North Bay Community and Recreation Centre will provide residents with a welcoming space to gather, play and connect, while showcasing how low carbon and climate conscious design can be successfully integrated into community infrastructure,” said Pauline Rochefort, Member of Parliament for Nipissing—Timiskaming. “By investing in projects like this, we are building stronger, healthier communities today, while ensuring a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

The new Community and Recreation Centre will be the first full-sized zero carbon recreational facility in Canada and is setting a precedent by integrating climate-conscious technology and design. Key highlights include:

·        CO2-based ice plant enabling high-grade heat recovery.

·        All-electric mechanical systems for space and water heating, eliminating on-site heating combustion.

·        A 26% reduction in energy consumption and nearly 50% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional designs.

·        A design that is solar- and battery-ready for future renewable integration.