Toronto Reference Library Blog

In honour of this summer's Toronto 2015 Pan Am / Parapan Am Games, the Doors Open Toronto 2015 theme is Sports, Recreation & Leisure. More than 155 buildings across Toronto open their doors over the May 23-24 weekend. Take a peek inside private and public recreation sites ranging from aquatic centres to athletics stadiums.

Our community buildings, stadiums, pools, arenas, tracks and parks — all carefully designed and constructed for sports and leisure activities – are worth a special look this year.

Our unique Toronto Collection, second floor, Toronto Reference Library, has books, reports, clippings, newspapers and magazines reflecting the inception, construction, operation, and, in some cases, the closure of major sporting facilities.

We have proposals for stadiums that remain unbuilt, discussions over locations, fights over funding, privatization and naming. 

Recreation centres are the heart of many neighbourhoods. Swimming pools, waterparks and splash pads can'teach both children and adults more than the crawl. Take a look at the Regent Park Aquatics Centre. 

And let's not forget our racetracks. Woodbine Racetrack out in Rexdale is a mid-century icon.

Have you ever been to  a skatepark? Fairly new to this city,the CJ Skateboard Park & School is the world's fourth largest not-for-profit skateboard park offering 28,000 sq. ft. of indoor skateboarding space. You will see skateboarding obstacles including bowls, mini ramps, vertical ramps and a street area featuring a replica of an outdoor skate park. It also holds the largest vertical skateboarding ramp in Canada.

Experience some fun venues like Afterburn Performance Fitness designed for dragon boat paddling. Or test your skill at Laser Quest Toronto East and The Rock Oasis.

Look at the contemporary Branksome Hall Athletics and Wellness Centre or take a heritage walking tour of the University of Toronto facilities. 

How about a trip to Downsview Park? See how de Havilland Airport has been re-purposed. Try out the Downsview Park Sports Centre – Grand Prix Kartways and while you are there you visit The Hangar, the National Squash Academy and True North Climbing.

Whether you take a walking tour, drive out to a special event or wander around the city, map in hand, get out and take advantage of Toronto's wonderful Doors Open weekend.

And then stop by the Toronto Reference Library to learn more.

You can also check out Leo's post for additional resources.

In honour of this summer's Toronto 2015 Pan Am / Parapan Am Games, the Doors Open Toronto 2015 theme is Sports, Recreation & Leisure. More than 155 buildings across Toronto open their doors over the May 23-24 weekend. Take a peek inside private and public recreation sites ranging from aquatic centres to athletics stadiums.

Our community buildings, stadiums, pools, arenas, tracks and parks — all carefully designed and constructed for sports and leisure activities – are worth a special look this year.

Our unique Toronto Collection, second floor, Toronto Reference Library, has books, reports, clippings, newspapers and magazines reflecting the inception, construction, operation, and, in some cases, the closure of major sporting facilities.

We have proposals for stadiums that remain unbuilt, discussions over locations, fights over funding, privatization and naming. 

Recreation centres are the heart of many neighbourhoods. Swimming pools, waterparks and splash pads can'teach both children and adults more than the crawl. Take a look at the Regent Park Aquatics Centre. 

And let's not forget our racetracks. Woodbine Racetrack out in Rexdale is a mid-century icon.

Have you ever been to  a skatepark? Fairly new to this city,the CJ Skateboard Park & School is the world's fourth largest not-for-profit skateboard park offering 28,000 sq. ft. of indoor skateboarding space. You will see skateboarding obstacles including bowls, mini ramps, vertical ramps and a street area featuring a replica of an outdoor skate park. It also holds the largest vertical skateboarding ramp in Canada.

Experience some fun venues like Afterburn Performance Fitness designed for dragon boat paddling. Or test your skill at Laser Quest Toronto East and The Rock Oasis.

Look at the contemporary Branksome Hall Athletics and Wellness Centre or take a heritage walking tour of the University of Toronto facilities. 

How about a trip to Downsview Park? See how de Havilland Airport has been re-purposed. Try out the Downsview Park Sports Centre – Grand Prix Kartways and while you are there you visit The Hangar, the National Squash Academy and True North Climbing.

Whether you take a walking tour, drive out to a special event or wander around the city, map in hand, get out and take advantage of Toronto's wonderful Doors Open weekend.

And then stop by the Toronto Reference Library to learn more.

You can also check out Leo's post for additional resources.