Cavendish Center: Engineering the Extraordinary
Pushing Boundaries at the Cavendish Centre
When the architects behind Lethbridge’s premier leisure facility, the Cavendish Centre (formerly the ATB Centre), approached us with a bold indoor playground concept, we saw more than just a project—we saw a challenge that would define our future.
At the time, BDI Play Designs was known primarily as a premier local installer. However, this project required us to step into the world of custom architectural play landscapes, necessitating high-level 3D modeling and multi-disciplinary engineering coordination. We didn't just meet the brief; we expanded the dream, iterating the design until it perfectly mirrored the unique geography of Southern Alberta.
The Lethbridge Coulee: A Topographical Masterpiece
The final installation is a tribute to the local landscape, featuring a flowing topographical rubber floor and a "mountain" climbing wall. This project served as the early inspiration for our now-famous StoneWood Concrete Play line, specifically the StoneWood Log Tunnel.
Technical Specifications & Project Breakdown
For our partners in architecture and development, we’ve outlined the engineering rigors of this build below. Today, BDI Play Designs coordinates with locally licensed engineers across North America to ensure every custom project meets regional building codes, including CSA Z614-20 and ASTM F1487 standards.
| Component | Build Type | Engineering Requirements | Careful Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Tornado” Net Climber | Powder-coated steel frame with woven climbing net and secondary safety netting. | Analysis of regular and irregular load cases across the entire structure; met local AB building codes for structural integrity. | Required precision 3D modeling to match exact building dimensions wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling. |
| Topographic Hill | Hollow-core concrete with FallSafe rubber surfacing and built-in plastic tunnel. | Verification of concrete load-bearing capacity for indoor structural framework. | Integrated an accessible slope path into the steep grade of the hill to ensure inclusive play. |
| Spiral Tube Slide | Rotomolded plastic with powder-coated steel supports. | Compliant with CSA Z614-20 and adaptable to ASTM F1487 standards. | Slide height was fixed, requiring exact exit orientation to meet safety zone requirements. |
| Climbing Wall | Polyurethane-coated plywood with custom rock holds. | Anchorment to wall and verification of wall-bearing capacity; met fall height requirements for the entire wall. | Engineered to maintain safety compliance even as the floor topography changed beneath it. |
From Custom Concept to North American Manufacturer
This project was our "North Star." The complexity of the "Tornado" net climber paved the way for our current SteelCore Rope Systems, while the concrete topography laid the foundation for StoneWood.
Today, BDI Play Designs has evolved. We aren't just installers; we are a North American manufacturer shipping custom-engineered play solutions from coast to coast. Whether you are a landscape architect in California or a developer in Ontario, we provide the 3D modeling, engineering expertise, and high-durability products—like CedarScape Timber and UnderCover Shade—needed to bring your most ambitious visions to life.