Dan, over at No Facilities blog, is hosting the Thursday Doors photography challenge. The challenge is open to everyone to participate in. So, I’m joining Dan for the first time and hope to meet lots of other bloggers who have similar interests in doors, architecture, art, history, photography, and of course blogging. Here’s my entry for this week.
Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion has been a Toronto’s lakefront landmark since it opened in 1922. The pavilion was designed in Beaux-Arts style by the firm Chapman, Oxley & Bishop. It features a highly visible front façade accented by an impressive archway with a decorative panel, as well as by Classical columns and pilasters.
Inspired by a bathing pavilion at Lynn Beach in Massachusetts, Sunnyside had enough room for 7,700 bathers at one time. Following a brisk swim in the lake, visitors could retire to the terrace garden for refreshments.
A heated outdoor pool, known as the “Sunnyside Tank” was opened in 1925. With a capacity for 2,000 swimmers, it was reputed to be one of the largest outdoor pools in the world. In 1980, when the pavilion was refurbished, the pool was dedicated in honour of swimming coach Gus Ryder.
What do you think of the Sunnyside Pavilion Beaux-Arts style? I’d love to hear your comments.
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Natalie the Explorer 
What an amazing structure. I’m guessing it’s even bigger than it appears, if it could handle 7,000 people. I love the arches and the grand entrance. It’s so fun to find community facilities that were built with an attention to detail in their appearance. I would guess that had helped it survive.
Welcome to Thursday Doors, Natalie. This was an excellent post.
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Thank you, Dan, for your welcome and encouragement. This pavilion is quite big. In normal times and in warmer season, they host big events like weddings or corporate events and an outdoor cafe. The huge Gus Ryder pool next door is emptied and closed for the season so I didn’t include its photo in the post.
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I didn’t see the subscribe option until I had already submitted the comment.
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I agree with you, Dan, that the WordPress subscription button is so small. Thank you for choosing to follow my blog. Have a great week!
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At first I thought I’d overslept a few days and it was Sunday! 🙂 How great to see your amazing photos for Thursday Doors, Natalie. What an incredible structure to hold so many people. Thanks for sharing!
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Sorry to confuse you, Jill. I just decided to post my debut entry to Thursday Doors today 🙂 I’m glad you like my photos of the pavilion. It’s a big place and popular from May to September pre-covid.
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I was joking! It’s always nice to see your beautiful photos. 🙂 It’s sad to think of the pavilion being empty.
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What a wonderful project. Which lake does this Pavillion overlook? Its a beautiful structure.
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Antoinette, This Pavilion overlooks Lake Ontario. Thank your for stopping by. Have a great weekend!
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I love that archway and the decorative panel.
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Me too, Joanne. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great weekend!
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Love the decorative arch and how the arch is repeated, almost like a wave.
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Thank you, Carolyn, for your visit and comment. Great observation about the wave-like effect of the repeated arch. It might be intentional as the pavilion is right by Lake Ontario.
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Wow, so very beautiful. It is a place that needs to kept up for the next generation to enjoy.
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Yes, I agree. Sunnyside Beach and the huge Gus Ryder swimming pool next to the pavilion are very popular on warmer days.
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This doors post is wonderful, Natalie. It is amazing what we can see when we open our eyes to the new.
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Erica/ Erika, Glad you like my first entry to the Thursday Doors photo challenge 🙂 Let’s see what I can come up with for the next one.
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Great name for this swimming complex. Love the architecture and beautiful details near the entrance. What a lovely place to swim. Enjoy your photo challenge.
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Leslie, I’m glad you like the pavilion architecture and entrance. I’m enjoying this photo challenge. Let’s see what my next entry will be on Thursday.
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Oh yes, I love this arch. I’d be really glad to take its picture too. Welcome to Thursday Doors!
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Thank you, Manja, for your visit and comment. I look forward to next week’s Thursday Doors.
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Good to hear that the pavilion is still in use.
Jude
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Jude, In normal times, the pavilion, the beach and the adjacent swimming pool are very popular in the summer.
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