Known internationally for its academic quality, the University of Toronto also has a rich history in sports and athletics. Over 40 sports teams currently bear the maple leaf and upper-case T crest of the Toronto Varsity Blues, playing at the storied Varsity Stadium and the adjacent Varsity Arena at Bloor and St. George Streets. The U of T has of late been modernizing its sporting facilities, and the newest addition to the Varsity Centre athletic facilities campus will continue that trend with their new sports research and training facility, The Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.

Construction progress at U of T's Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, image by Jack Landau

Designed by Patkau Architects and MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (MJM), the $38.5 million complex will unite academic and athletic elements of the University, housing facilities including research and teaching labs, a strength and conditioning centre, a state-of-the-art sports medicine clinic and a 2000-seat basketball and volleyball field house.

Rendering of U of T's Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport

Under construction on the west side of Devonshire Place, across the street from Varsity Stadium, the 6-storey structure is being built with structural steel, unlike the many reinforced concrete projects we see popping up all over the city.

Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport viewed from Devonshire Place, image by Jack Landau

The contemporary design features a large polygonal glass cut-out section on the eastern façade, exposing the building’s massive 55-meter structural steel trusses and large multi-storey atrium to pedestrians and vehicles at street level, while providing those inside the facility with a front row east-facing view of Varsity Stadium.

Large steel trusses on the east side of the Goldring Centre, image by Jack Landau

While the view from the training room behind the glass wall above has been exaggerated in the rendering below, the image gives us an idea of the space that athletes will have at their disposal year-round to maximize their potential.

Interior rendering of U of T's Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport

Slated for completion next year, The Goldring Centre's lower level court space will be host to futsal and various other court related sports as part of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.

Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport viewed from the south, image by Jack Landau

For additional information and renderings, check out our dataBase file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or voice your opinion in the comments section provided at the bottom of this page.