My Dream JK (Place of Worship)

During my travel I have been fortunate enough to be able to see how many different cities and countries build their places of worship. While in Kenya for the Golden Jubilee Games I was fortunate enough to see and hear where follow Ismailis have their mosques I was sadden that even though we Ismailis live in a comparably richer country and even though we have a pretty large population in Canada that we are unfortunate and do not have the same amenities in our places of worship compared to the “less fortunate,”

I’m sure there are many logical reasons for this, some of which I have come up with while speaking to you all, including:
- we don’t need it
- we don’t have the $$$
- we should integrate in the community more
- land is too expensive

I have don’t have an exact answer and I’m not sure I will ever find someone that will give me the correct one (rather then their own opinion). What saddens me is that once in our religious class we were actually asked to make a mosque design. None of the groups though of non north American traditional amenities. Amenities that differ from:
- prayer hall
- social hall
- kitchen
- library
- place for shoes
- parking

Why is that? Personally I think its because we didn’t see anything that different. Now that we have the ability to communicate with others around the world my dream JK (mosque) is no longer Calgary’s Headquarters JK; but rather something similar but with a twist. As a base I think Calgary’s HQ is great. There is plenty of room and the layout in general I like. I have just added a lower level, 2 levels if parking (there is never enough parking at any mosques) and an athletic field. I will explain the design first then explain why I think this is feasible.

Level 2: Calgary’s HQ JK.
Amenities:
Prayer Hall: Paats, payer area, stage, sr sitting area, extra rooms on either side
Antiroom: nandi area, sr chairs, glass walls which let in sound and allow you to see
Foyer: Library, Kitchen, Literature Desk, Washrooms, Handicap and Baby Washroom (changing area), Shoe area
Social Hall: stage, extra large kitchen, storage area,



Level 3: Upper social hall Design Calgary’s HQ JK
Amenities:
4 Classrooms
1 Storage Room
3 Sound proof squash courts

Level 1: Sports level:
Gym: hardwood floors, good to play several sports/activities, includes spectator area. Good enough for 3 full length basketball courts
Arena: two full ice hockey rinks. Can be iced or not. Also in this area, large washroom and several change rooms and showers
Indoor field: Full size indoor soccer field and spectator area.

Outside:
In Front of JK: garden
Sides of JK: double level parking
Behind JK: Field (same side as deck out of social hall). Includes full size soccer pitch, running track around it and spectator area.


Feasability:

1. The main design structure (levels 2 and 3) are pretty much the same as the existing JK. The level one would be the same size as level 2, could be constructed to be soundproof and be either a basement level or a first level off the ground.


2. The overall symmetry and mosque like design is still intact. The only visible difference is the double layer parking (which can also be an underground and ground level parking) and an outside field.


3. If land is a major issue then take out the field and it will still be a great complex used not only during prayer time


4. If weather is a concern make the outdoor field into a bubble dome, or in the winter use the field as an outdoor skating rink


5. Maintenance/sustainability of the sports complex:
   
   
   
   • Staff: Volunteers. Hire Ismaili first, then the rest of the community
   
   
   • Have small fees for the Jamat to use it outside of special event days
   
   
   • Have all sports tournaments at this venue. This way the venue fee is less and you are paying to keep the facility open
   
   
   • Include this in the monthly cleaning
   
   
   • Rent out the space to businesses during work hours (have a maximum number of times a week the facilities can be rented)
   
   
   • Have leagues and classes where people pay small fees
   
   
6. If it can work in other countries there must be a way to make it work for us. Some of their tactics include selling advertising space around their fields and in their gyms. Selling refreshments (water, pop, juice, snacks). Having a club house restaurants, similar to Legends at Parkland Sports complex Nairobi


7. We always need more parking. Though I haven’t seen layered parking yet I think that the benefits of more parking on location without needed more space makes sense. Also underground parking could be place under the outdoor field as an option. Making the most out of that area.

Reason for adaptation of my dream JK:

1. It will bring more people to JK


2. It will make sure less people miss khane for sports (especially kids) because the league times will be around khane activities and ceremonies.


3. It will encourage us all to be healthier


4. Allow us to interact in a positive environment.


5. Classes run in these venues can target specific age groups. For example, seniors bollywood aerobic classes. Children’s soccer leagues, female bone building (anti-osteoporosis) classes, and maternity classes.


6. Venues are hard to find and expensive this is lower the individual costs of each project/tournaments...etc


7. Though the base cost to build this can be costly this is an investment for the future. Also there are ways to keep it sustainable with fees.


8. Will encourage the people to do activities after prayers rather than go out to eat or do less healthy activities. For example, according to this Pakistan athlete all the women after prayer ceremonies would go outside and play volleyball and the men would go play cricket. This is something they looked forward to and this was the post khane ritual. Much healthier than standing around drinking chai and cookies.


9. Camps and BUI classes will have venues to host physical activities


10. Will allow less fortunate and working families to enroll their kids in programs with subsidize costs.

Ishallah one day my dream might come true!