Discipline : Architecture

Categories : Public Building / Sports & Leisure Building : Silver certification

For over 100 years, Collège Saint-Sacrement has held a prominent position in academic development within private high schools in Quebec. Founded in 1902 in Old Terrebonne, following the purchase of Manor Masson by the Fathers of the Most Holy Sacrament, the institution now welcomes more than 1600 students annually. This sustained growth led to the creation of new sports facilities. In 2022, following an invitation-only tender, TLA Architects was entrusted with designing a multifunctional soccerplex that meets both the needs of the College and the site's physical constraints. The challenges were numerous: limited area and strict municipal regulations. To address these, the building is organized on three levels and offers a playing surface in the basement - an original and effective solution. This approach preserved a height conforming to zoning while providing the necessary volumes for sports practice and clearly separating the building's functions. Occupying 3350 m² on the ground for a total floor area of 5150 m², the soccerplex includes a synthetic field of 35 m × 56 m, sufficient for a 9-player soccer format and divisible with a separator curtain. From this basement, a tunnel access allows students to reach the pavilion without needing to put on their coat during winter. Four multifunctional locker rooms, a bright overflow area, and a linear lighting strategy complete this level. The entrance floor houses the new football team premises, with spacious locker rooms, offices for coaches and therapists, and an observation promenade overlooking the field. A commemorative wall honors former students who have marked the history of sport. On the second floor, a training gym opens onto a suspended running track over 300 meters long, with two lanes, along generous fenestration. It allows for a view of a green roof arranged above the main entrance. Archive images punctuate the track, creating a link between past and present. A multifunctional room completes the ensemble, with a terrace offering a clear view of the outdoor football field. The interior design concept revolves primarily around the school's sports teams' red and blue colors and transposes the frequently represented sports tactics of Xs and Os through a dynamic lighting strategy. The TLA Architects team made good use of wood as an accent material and offers visitors distinctive signage relying on the geometry of a soccer ball. With this project, TLA Architects signs an ambitious and functional achievement, positioning Collège Saint-Sacrement at the forefront of school sports infrastructure in Quebec and demonstrating the growing importance of well-being in educational settings.

Raphaël Thibodeau

The project in images