Mary Chow, Architect AIBC, LEED AP BD+C

“I love working on projects that impact the individuals and families in their community. Community facilities are places where people choose to go and there is no greater satisfaction than seeing the enjoyment this type of space can provide. Opening day for me is any one of our projects is the best day ever! It makes me feel like I am making a difference in someone’s life.”

Mary is an architect who has led the design of many award-winning community recreation facilities, including aquatics, ice, fitness and more. One of her many significant projects is the Edmonds Community Centre in Burnaby British Columbia, Canada. She is a LEED Accredited Professional with a track record of bringing practical sustainable solutions to all her work. Mary believes the success of any project begins with a commitment to quality from the initial design through final construction, and an open line of communication between all members of the project team including the client, consultants and the contractor.

Mary has traveled internationally to give presentations on various issues related to sports, recreation and community facility design, as well as on how the architectural process can use social media to engage communities. She was invited to speak about social media at her local chapter of the Canadian Construction Women annual conference and has spoken on innovation in recreation design at the Recreation Foundation of British Columbia. In the past few years she has spoken at the Athletics Business Conference in New Orleans, the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities Congress in Germany, and the The Association for International Sport for All World Congress in The Netherlands.