Donald Summerville Pool
Capital Improvements needed
Like many folks who grew up in the beaches, I remember going to Donald Summerville pool as a child and being on one hand totally terrified by the experience, but also amazed at the size and scope of the pool. Terrified by the imposing concrete entrance and the dingy change rooms as well as the general grunginess of the place. As I walked by on the boardwalk a few days ago, I realized that this experience hasn’t changed in the 30+ years since I went there as a kid.
While the pool itself has recently received major capital improvements to the liner and equipment, the building, and the experience don’t seem to have been considered at all. It’s time to change that.
First are the obvious improvements that could be made in short order.
Pressure wash the entire building - the cement looks like it still has a coating of coal dust from when Hearn was running
Replace all the boarded up windows with a permanent solution that won’t weather
Redo the entrance area, fix the obvious issues with broken electric fixtures and improve the waiting experience (improved seating, tables, etc.)
Replace and consolidate the storage areas which are currently chain link fence, a permanent year round space with good design should be built, potentially with more space for boat rental, bike rental and other features that are needed in the area
But the real win here is to consider a major capital expenditure to expand and improve the site. There is a lot of space under the overhangs, most of it seems to be poorly used. We could take the example of Manulife Center on Bloor which added a glass box around a very similarly designed cement structure. This would allow for the addition of a number of features that would improve the area.
In addition to permanent year round storage, and the potential for improved rentals this addition could include:
A gym
More food options, including an elevated cafe with a view of the pool and waterfront
Additional pool space for children (maybe waterslides etc.)
Improved change rooms, including a non-communal design
Uber Dropoff
Improved welcome experience
Improved beach and road frontages with welcoming atmosphere (ie seating, DJ or music space, showers, etc.)
Toronto should:
Direct staff to perform a short term property update at the pool to be completed for next season - including painting, pressure wash, landscaping, replacement of broken or worn fixtures and consolidation and improved design of the storage areas
Direct staff to consult with the community on a capital improvement plan with a target start construction date of 4 years with a focus on modernization and additional utility of the space
Engage design firms to complete a preliminary design and report back to council for inclusion in future budgets
