The Carl Zehr Square, part of the Kitchener City Hall in Ontario, Canada, required restoration of its podium deck and seasonal amenities, an ice-skating rink during the winter and fountain during the summer, which sit above an underground parking garage. The renovation included removal of the pavers, planters, water feature components, overburden and existing waterproofing, a hot rubberized asphalt membrane that had failed prematurely. Leaking areas and concrete damage had to be repaired before the new waterproofing was installed. With the constant presence of water, significant weight, daily pedestrian traffic and numerous drainage penetrations, a robust waterproofing system was necessary to protect the surface and garage beneath.
A staple gathering place for the community, the goals of the Carl Zehr Square restoration were beautification and protection. With the parking garage and vehicles underneath the City Hall, watertightness of the solution was of utmost concern, especially given the failure of the original hot-applied system. After the team talked through the project requirements, Tremco’s Dual Waterproofing System (DWS), comprised of the cold-applied TREMproof 250GC polyurethane membrane and TREMproof TRA sheeting, was found to be the ideal fit for the intricate detailing, pedestrian traffic, weight, and submerged conditions at the convertible ice skating rink and fountain.
In certain areas where it was difficult to completely remove the existing asphaltic membrane, Tremco® Epoxy Primer was used as a bond breaker to ensure proper compatibility and adhesion between any remaining asphaltic residue and the new waterproofing system.
TREMproof 250GC can be installed during cold temperatures and applied to damp/green concrete to minimize weather and construction delays, which was an important feature due to the amount of concrete repairs required on the podium deck. The material can be roller and trowel applied to horizontal and vertical surfaces, which provided the versatility for the large horizontal square-footage and upturns. The system would be both flexible and watertight for long-term performance underneath the complex overburden and landscape finishes to protect the city’s investment.
