Canada Games Complex
Encyclopedia
The Canada Games Complex was constructed in 1981 to host the aquatic events of the 1981 Canada Summer Games in Thunder Bay
, Ontario
. It is Thunder Bay's primary fitness facility, and its features include a swimming pool
, indoor fitness areas, a fitness testing area, and an indoor running track.
The facility has been open to the public since the end of the Summer Games in 1981, and since that time has seen many renovations and additions, including a café, water slide, and expansions to its fitness areas. It accommodates approximately 450,000 visitors every year.
Located near the entrance to the complex is a twisting wooden sculpture titled "Vertere". It was created in 1981 by Paul Epp of Cambridge
, Ontario. It depicts a twisting motion, which is common in sports.
The main feature is the pool. It is 77 metres (252.6 ft) long, and divided by two bulkheads. Water depth ranges from 0.83 metres (2.7 ft) at the shallow end to 4.94 metres (16.2 ft) at the deep end. The complex also features a "Swirlpool
", which features hydrotherapy
jets.
The complex has wide pool decks to accommodate badminton
, table tennis
, a children's play area, various exercise equipment and a social area. Off the pool deck are permanent bleachers with a capacity of 800 people.
The diving
tower has platforms located at 5 metres (16.4 ft), 7.5 metres (24.6 ft) and 10 metres (32.8 ft). It also includes two 3 metres (9.8 ft) and one 1 metres (3.3 ft) springboard
. The diving tower also features the "Thunderslide", a 73 metres (239.5 ft) long water slide
.
Fitness
The complex features a 2400 ft2 weight room as well as three "Multi-training Areas" which include elliptical trainer
s, ergometer
s, exercise bikes
, Stairmaster
s, treadmill
s, a climbing wall
, and Universal Gym Equipment
. One of the areas also features televisions that users can watch while exercising. A 280 metres (918.6 ft) running track is located on the second level, overlooking the pool area.
Also included is a fitness testing area, four squash
courts, and two multi-purpose rooms.
Other Features
In addition to fitness and swimming the complex also provides babysitting facilities, locker rooms, and aerobic classes. The games complex also features a variety of accessibility features for handicapped and disabled persons.
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. It is Thunder Bay's primary fitness facility, and its features include a swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
, indoor fitness areas, a fitness testing area, and an indoor running track.
The facility has been open to the public since the end of the Summer Games in 1981, and since that time has seen many renovations and additions, including a café, water slide, and expansions to its fitness areas. It accommodates approximately 450,000 visitors every year.
Located near the entrance to the complex is a twisting wooden sculpture titled "Vertere". It was created in 1981 by Paul Epp of Cambridge
Cambridge, Ontario
Cambridge is a city located in Southern Ontario at the confluence of the Grand and Speed rivers in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It is an amalgamation of the City of Galt, the towns of Preston and Hespeler, and the hamlet of Blair.Galt covers the largest portion of...
, Ontario. It depicts a twisting motion, which is common in sports.
Facilities
AquaticThe main feature is the pool. It is 77 metres (252.6 ft) long, and divided by two bulkheads. Water depth ranges from 0.83 metres (2.7 ft) at the shallow end to 4.94 metres (16.2 ft) at the deep end. The complex also features a "Swirlpool
Hot tub
A hot tub is a large tub or small pool full of heated water and used for soaking, relaxation, massage, or hydrotherapy. In most cases, they have jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are usually located outdoors, and are often sheltered for protection from the elements, as well as for privacy....
", which features hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy, involves the use of water for pain-relief and treating illness. The term hydrotherapy itself is synonymous with the term water cure as it was originally marketed by practitioners and promoters in the 19th century...
jets.
The complex has wide pool decks to accommodate badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
, a children's play area, various exercise equipment and a social area. Off the pool deck are permanent bleachers with a capacity of 800 people.
The diving
Diving
Diving is the sport of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, sometimes while performing acrobatics. Diving is an internationally-recognized sport that is part of the Olympic Games. In addition, unstructured and non-competitive diving is a recreational pastime.Diving is one...
tower has platforms located at 5 metres (16.4 ft), 7.5 metres (24.6 ft) and 10 metres (32.8 ft). It also includes two 3 metres (9.8 ft) and one 1 metres (3.3 ft) springboard
Springboard
A springboard or diving board is used for diving and is a board that is itself a spring, i.e. a linear flex-spring, of the cantilever type....
. The diving tower also features the "Thunderslide", a 73 metres (239.5 ft) long water slide
Water slide
A water slide is a type of slide designed for warm-weather or indoor recreational use at water parks. Water slides differ in their riding method and therefore size...
.
Fitness
The complex features a 2400 ft2 weight room as well as three "Multi-training Areas" which include elliptical trainer
Elliptical trainer
An elliptical trainer or cross-trainer is a stationary exercise machine used to simulate stair climbing, walking, or running without causing excessive pressure to the joints, hence decreasing the risk of impact injuries...
s, ergometer
Indoor rower
An indoor rower, or rowing machine, is a machine used to simulate the action of watercraft rowing for the purpose of exercise or training for rowing. Indoor rowing has become established as a sport in its own right...
s, exercise bikes
Exercise bicycle
An exercise bicycle or bike, or stationary bicycle, or Exercycle is a device with saddle, pedals, and some form of handlebars arranged as on a bicycle, but used as exercise equipment rather than transportation...
, Stairmaster
Stairmaster
StairMaster is the name of a line of exercise machines, which includes stepping machines and revolving stairs.StairMaster was founded by Lanny Potts and Jim Walker and introduced by Tri-Tech, Inc. of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1983 at the National Sporting Goods Association trade show...
s, treadmill
Treadmill
A treadmill is an exercise machine for running or walking while staying in one place. The word treadmill traditionally refers to a type of mill which was operated by a person or animal treading steps of a wheel to grind grain...
s, a climbing wall
Climbing wall
A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with grips for hands and feet, usually used for indoor climbing, but sometimes located outdoors as well. Some are brick or wooden constructions, but on most modern walls, the material most often used is a thick multiplex board with holes drilled...
, and Universal Gym Equipment
Universal Gym Equipment
Universal Gym Equipment was an American manufacturer of exercise equipment, in particular weight machines. It was founded by Harold Zinkin in 1957. In 1998, it was acquired by Flexible Flyer. In 2006 it was acquired by Nautilus, Inc. The Universal Gym brand was subsequently...
. One of the areas also features televisions that users can watch while exercising. A 280 metres (918.6 ft) running track is located on the second level, overlooking the pool area.
Also included is a fitness testing area, four squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
courts, and two multi-purpose rooms.
Other Features
In addition to fitness and swimming the complex also provides babysitting facilities, locker rooms, and aerobic classes. The games complex also features a variety of accessibility features for handicapped and disabled persons.