The Garnison Saint‑Jean Sports Complex marked a major transformation of the military base’s principal sports facilities. The project encompassed the redevelopment of the main building (B‑182, “La Méga”), demolition of an existing structure (B‑131), and construction of a new covered stadium directly linked to La Méga through a three‑storey connector.
The stadium integrates mechanical and electrical service rooms, a dedicated training and weightlifting zone, and a vast gymnasium crowned with acoustic ceilings rising over 65 feet. Together, the renovation and new construction delivered nearly 18,000 m² of high‑performance space designed to meet the needs of Canada’s Department of National Defence.
Sustainability Objectives
The design prioritized environmental responsibility and targeted LEED Canada NC 2009 Silver certification, with key strategies including:
- Renewable energy systems such as geothermal heating and large solar walls.
- Responsible material selection (local, recycled, FSC‑certified wood).
- Waste management, erosion control, and enhanced indoor air quality.
- Ecological maintenance plans for both interior and exterior spaces.
- Energy‑efficient LED lighting free of mercury.
- Daylighting strategies, including solar tubes, to bring natural light into nearly all workspaces.
- A vegetated roof contributing to biodiversity and thermal performance.
Additional Project Highlights
The mandate extended the base by 8,934 m² to accommodate new offices, mechanical rooms, and the expansive training gymnasium. Renovations to the adjacent building required a complex underground tunnel between pile caps to reorganize plumbing services.
Originally designed in 2012, the project was updated in 2019 to meet the new CNBC 2015 code requirements, enabling construction to begin and conclude in 2021.
Key challenges included the sensitive soil conditions of Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, which necessitated a lightweight structure on driven piles. Two seismic separations were incorporated to isolate the office expansion from the existing structure and the gymnasium from the office block, requiring independent digital modeling of each structure. To achieve a vast open training space, roof trusses spanning 52.5 metres were engineered to serve both as gravitational supports and seismic systems.
Throughout the process, SBSA and the architects collaborated closely to respect site constraints, employing advanced digital modeling to deliver an economical yet striking structure. Rigorous quality reviews by client engineers ensured consistency, while internal cost estimates guided design iterations. A strict milestone schedule was met, with accelerated redesigns executed to align with updated code requirements without delaying construction.