Jean-Daigle Centre
- LocationEdmundston (New Brunswick)
- ClientCity of Edmundston
- year2017
- Awards and distinctions
Maritime Excellence in Architectural Design Award, 2018
- PHOTOStéphane Groleau
An arena that brings an entire community together.
The Jean-Daigle Centre provides Edmundston with a major sports and event facility that has become a true catalyst for community life and cultural activity. Designed to host elite sporting competitions as well as concerts, performances, and public gatherings, the building has established itself as a new landmark at the heart of the city while contributing to the vitality of the entire region.
The arena features an ice rink built to NHL and Hockey Canada standards, with fixed and retractable seating accommodating more than 2,350 spectators for hockey games and up to 3,680guests in concert configuration. This versatility enables the venue to host a wide range of sporting, cultural, and community events within a single facility. Located adjacent to educational institutions and existing sports facilities, the building strengthens an important activity hub while encouraging interaction among students, residents, and visitors.
The architecture draws inspiration from Edmundston's landscape and history. Its massing, horizontal lines, and material palette reference both Fortin du Petit-Sault and the region's forestry heritage. A spacious interior concourse connects the new arena to the existing sports pavilion, creating a seamless integration between the two facilities. Flooded with natural daylight, the main lobby opens onto the Saint John River valley, while large glazed openings frame views of the surrounding landscape—even from within the arena itself. Recipient of the Maritime Excellence in Architectural Design Award, the Jean-Daigle Centre demonstrates how a sports facility can become a powerful symbol of community identity and civic pride.
