Parkin completed the design of the University of Guelph (UOG) Gryphon Fieldhouse in 2011. The 91 x 53m pre-engineered structure houses a 200m IAAF 4-lane running track, a 4-lane 60m sprint and hurdle track, pole vault, long jump and shot-put facilities, as well as training areas for high jump. The interior field is 28m x 58m and is divisible into 3 smaller fields with an electrically operated curtain. The facility includes athletic offices, storage, change, and locker facilities for student and athlete use. The flexible space includes provisions for stage equipment for convocation events, and provisions for future mezzanine expansion that can provide additional space for training, offices, or spectator viewing.
The facility’s flexibility allows it to host indoor track meets, music concerts, convocations, community camps, and trade expositions, in addition to its principle use as a training and student recreation facility. Parkin participated in alterations that expand services such as an athlete therapy clinic space, athletic program management offices, and an upgrade to facilitate indoor hammer-throw practice.
The fieldhouse design incorporates the results of student federation input and university stakeholder consultation. The design creates flexible space that not only serves the primary purpose but provides support spaces–especially storage–and infrastructure upgrades to allow use by students and the community in a wide variety of ways.
Recently, local news announced that the UOG Gryphon Fieldhouse will serve as the playing ground for the Waterloo-Wellington County’s Guelph United FC, which will use the facility to play in the main draw of the Canadian Soccer Championship, in May 2022. A shot at the national stage for Guelph could boost the sport locally.
To read more on how Guelph United FC Marks Soccer first, please click here.
Parkin is proud to be the architect for UOG Gryphon Fieldhouse–now an elite soccer training facility.
