historical walking tour of - Toronto Public Library

Transportation Commission was established
to provide public transit for the city, and the
Deer Park property· had to be vacated by the
Toronto and York Radial Railway. Three
years later, the T&YRR offered the property
and buildings for sale.
The newly-formed Badminton and
Racquet Club of Toronto purchased part of
the site and the buildings in 1924. The club
sold the Yonge Street frontage -access to the
club is now by a private driveway from St.
Clair Avenue West - and converted the
buildings for racquet sports. The barn
Badminton and Racquet Club of Toronto, 1925
37
became seven badminton courts, and the
marshalling yards were transformed into
four clay tennis courts. The old machine
shops were changed into squash courts and
clubhouse facilities. Since 1924, the club
has had some alterations, some major construction,
and a tennis bubble added.
During one construction period, a section of
railway track from the marshalling yards
was uncovered. The metal pieces were
forged into fire irons for the fireplace in the
lounge.