Leaside Gardens swimming pool and (inset) long-abandoned sunbathing steps
The nearly 60-year-old swimming pool at Leaside Gardens will be renovated this summer. As plans go forward at the Parks and Recreation Department for this work, there is said to be a related idea from developer Shane Baghai to create a new City parkette on about half an acre of unused table land behind the pool. It is known around the Gardens as “the back 40”. The pleasant parcel of grass and trees is now land locked from City streets and is not accessible to police vehicles and other services. But Baghai is said to have proposed access to the land off Southvale Drive on the west side of the proposed condominium he hopes to build at the land known as 3&5 Southvale.
Google maps reveals the little-known green space behind Leaside Gardens.
Nothing is agreed to but the parcel of land itself, which is seen through the west-facing window wall of the swimming pool will be part of a landscaping project regardless of the park project. This work will see the demolition of the old sunbathing steps (photo at top) a relic of a bygone era when soaking up sun in a bathing suit was more fashionable. The City will create a grassy terrace down to the window of the pool from the table-land to the west.
MAIN PUMP SEIZED
Inside the pool, old equipment such the seized pumping system which is supposed to empty the pool will be replaced. For years, pool staff has had to rent portable pumps when it was necessary to drain the pool. The roof leaks too. Stains and rotting ceiling panels can be seen in change rooms and elsewhere. The leaking is worst it seems under heavy roof-top dehumification equipment. It will have to be hefted down along with HVAC to do the work.
SCHEDULE
The project is expected to take three to five months. The present start date is hovering between May and June of 2016. The pool closure work has parents with kids in swimming classes and others looking around for another pool. The nearest would seem to be the outside pool at 5 Leaside Drive (416) 396-2822 and the indoor pool at the East York Community Centre, 1081 Pape Ave (416) 396 2880
