The Cowichan Aquatic Centre won the 2011 ASHRAE Technology Award for a new public assembly building. Mechanical innovation was required to develop and optimize HVAC design to address the pool water evaporation, volume, heating, and humidity. AME also recommended and designed a hybrid system consisting of an air thermal heat pump, water to water heat pumps and a small back up boiler. This hybrid approach proved to be considerably less expensive while providing the equivalent efficiency as a geothermal system. After hosting the 2008 World Indigenous Games, this 44,500 sq ft aquatic facility remains one of the most energy efficient aquatic facilities in BC.