CULTURE AND RECREATION
SAULT STE MARIE EVENT CENTRE
This multi-use sports facility replaced the original Memorial Gardens, home of the Sault Greyhounds and local hockey for the past 50 years. This building provides Sault Ste. Marie with a much needed venue for sports, exhibitions, concerts and other large capacity events. It contains 4162 seats, 494 standing room, plus 13 private box seating areas.
CANADIAN BUSHPLANE HERITAGE CENTRE
Mr. Ellis designed the Centre in the 1990’s and we are now in the midst of designing its first major expansion. All the images on this page are in-house 3D renderings of what the new Centre will look like once complete.
HOCKEY HERITAGE NORTH
In 1972, millions of Canadians watched two guys from Timmins, two from Sault Ste. Marie, one from Smooth Rock Falls and one from Kirkland Lake help Team Canada win against the powerful Russian Team.
THESSALON FIRST NATION ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING
This concept for a new 10,000 sf multi-purpose financial and works centre presents a sensitive wilderness approach to a modern office building.
ST MARY’S RIVER MUSEUM CONCEPT
The area now known as Sault Ste. Marie has been inhabited for thousands of years due to its strategic location on the St. Mary’s River, linking the two Great Lakes, Superior and Huron. It became a meeting place, a place for fishing, a place for discussion and governance.
RICHARD’S LANDING MARINA
Designed by Mr. Ellis to reflect both the nautical and the natural environment on which the building stands, the building was constructed to house a restaurant, administration offices and sailor’s facilities for the marina.
CLERGUE PARK MASTER PLAN
The object of this study was to create a master plan for a destination that will become a focal point in the downtown area. Elements include parks, a sailing school and future expansion for the Library and Art Gallery of Algoma.
MUKQUA WAAKAA’IGAN DESIGN CONCEPT
We were asked to prepare the conceptual design for a landmark building for the University, conceived as a living reminder of the school’s past, as a residential school.
SEARCHMONT SKI CHALET
We have just completed a private ski chalet at the popular Searchmont Ski Resort, that boasts the highest elevation in Ontario
GATEWAY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 2011
We worked with the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie to design a “Made in Sault Ste. Marie” design solution for the buildings and attractions proposed for the Gateway Site in Sault Ste. Marie. Mr. Ellis was asked to provide these services due to his intimate knowledge of the site and the waterfront with his involvement since 2003 with various developers on this site. He co-designed two schemes and sole designed two others over the years.
ONTARIO WINTER GAMES POOL AND COMMUNITY CENTRE
This building was commissioned as the indoor pool for the Ontario Winter Games.
SAULT COLLEGE TENNIS AND AQUATICS CENTRE
The Former RYTAC (Rotary YMCA Tennis and Aquatics Club) facility has been abandoned for several years until recently, when Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology acquired the property.
The intent of the College is to replace the building and offer it as both a community resource and to utilize various components for programmes for the College.
SPLASH CANYON REDEVELOPMENT
We prepared the business plan and concepts for the existing water park attraction previously known as ‘Splash Canyon’ in Springwater, just outside Barrie. The existing facility will be enhanced and redeveloped into a world class resort known as Ozone. This recreation based attraction will build upon the existing infrastructure and the natural gifts of the surrounding area with a number of new modern amenities and uses.
PROPOSED INDOOR SKATING OVAL AND GYMNASIUM
This project, to provide a new gymnasium and an indoor speed skating oval, for Sault College, was never materialised. However, it illustrated the forward thinking vision of the College.
STOKELY CREEK SKI TOURING CENTRE
The 400 acre, Stokely Creek Ski Touring Centre, has been recognised as one of the three best cross country ski resorts in North America. (Source: ‘Cross Country Ski Magazine).
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY INTERPRETIVE CENTRE
Co-located with a massive bio-oil refinery project and exhibiting alternative energy sources as they relate to environmental issues, the building itself will be serviced and powered by a combination of solar, bio-fuels and wind energy.
MUKQUA WAAKAAIGAN FREESTANDING BUILDING CONCEPT ALGOMA UNIVERSITY
The initial concept was for a smaller building. (See previous page) However, this evolved into a much larger project, encompassing many more elements and multiple floors.
ART GALLERY OF ALGOMA
This is a challenging project, as the existing Gallery must be kept operational, while the building is expanded and completely renovated.
GATEWAY MASTERPLAN 2003
This concept was designed for the buildings and attractions that were proposed for the Gateway Site in Sault Set Marie, known as 'Legacy Quest', in 2003.
SAULT COLLEGE NET-ZERO BUILDING
The original building was designed and ready to move into production drawings, but an important change was made. We are extremely excited as this building was re-imagined and designed as the first Net-Zero building on Northern Ontario.
WHITE PINES COMMUNITY THEATRE CONCEPT
This 1000 seat theatre has existed within the White Pines secondary school for several decades and has always been integral within the fabric and life of the school. However, it also serves the community, providing venues for large theatrical and musical performances. Therefore, we have been asked by the community users to imagine a new, standalone entrance and gathering space, that can be used exclusively for the local theatre going public, apart from the school.
ARTS CENTRE
This is a proposal to repurpose a former church into a visual and performing arts centre.
METZEN ELLIS CUSTOM FRAMES
METZEN ELLIS built racing frames from 1977 until 1995. Both Hans Metzen and David Ellis apprenticed as competitive racers for many years before they collaborated on their first frames.
THE GLOBAL VILAGE
Our design is based on the concept of a “village” where local ethnic and international cultural groups are assigned a plot of land within the park to develop an installation which best captures the essence of their culture.
We were asked to imagine a proposed update and addition to the existing Marconi Club, in Sault Ste. Marie. The concept is to renovate the interior of the existing building, but also add some new features, including a new lounge, outdoor dining or celebration space, etc.
ALGOMA UNIVERSITY - THE NEST
A special place to meet, interact and be part of the culture of the University, the Nest is situated immediately adjacent to the Student Union Office at one of the main entrances.