1900s
1905 - Mrs Meyers Boathouse
The Boulevard Club, est. 1905. A group of young men in the west end got together for their shared enthusiasm for paddling. With 43 members in attendance, on August 11th 1905, the Parkdale Canoe Club was born. The Club would meet at one of the most popular destinations, Mrs. Meyers boathouse on the Humber River.
1909 - Clubhouse
The first clubhouse for the Parkdale Canoe Club was built in 1909. Paddling was the primary focus of the Club, but a wide assortment of other sports started to claim the attention of the ever-growing memberships, including softball, senior and junior hockey, lawn bowling, football, and more.
1910s
1915 - The Club's 1st Fire
The Boulevard Club is no stranger to perseverance in difficult times. A devastating fire burnt down the Club in 1914.
1915 - Second Clubhouse
With an expanded dock and a new ballroom, the Club was rebuilt, featuring a wider walkway and a return to an all-wood frame.
1920s
1921 - Softball Begins
The Women’s Softball League took the city by storm over the next two decades. It was originally played where the existing Club parking lot is, and then in the summer of 1924, the Sunnyside Ball Stadium was ready and used exclusively by women ball players. Crowds would pour into the area to fill the bleachers—erected just east of the Club—for an admission charge of 10 cents. At times, close to 5,000 fans would overflow the stands onto the grass to see a championship game. Years later, the home plate was discovered buried underneath the driveway entrance. It is now on display in the Club.
1922 - Parkdale Canoe Club
Parkdale Canoe Club wins the 1 mile War Canoe Race.
1922 - Sunnyside Beach
Sunnyside Beach, just west of The Boulevard Club—a popular destination for swimming in the summer.
1922 - Tennis
Tennis and Lawn bowling under construction.
1923 - 2nd Fire
The aftermath of the second clubhouse fire.
1924 - New Club Opens
After an extensive rebuild, the new clubhouse opens.
1930s
1939
Jack Davies, Herb White, Fred Raines, and Doug Warwick Jr & SR
1940s
1941
Canadian Mile War Canoe Champs in Ottawa.
1948
Regatta at The Boulevard Club
1949
Sailing on Lake Ontario
1950s
1950
Tennis section members Shirley and June in the summer of 1950.
1956
In 1956, the lakefront outdoor pool was built.
1956
Ladies Badminton section
1958
Men's Tennis section
1960s
1968
New building entrance ribbon-cutting.
1970s
1978 - Ice Storm
January 26, 1978—the worst ice storm the Club has seen. 100km/h winds, large ice shards, and freezing temperatures meant all the ice that was sitting upon the lake was thrown up and into the club. Tina Nyary, the social and sports manager at the time described it as: "Shifting Mountains of ice and water from the lake were pushed up onto the back lawn and through the lower walls of the lake." Our Pro Shop Owner and Member Guy Charon recalls " There was so much ice and snow that I had to crawl on all fours to get through some sections of the club. I had to watch my head as I crawled to avoid hitting the ceiling sprinklers."
1980s
1986
In 1986, the Curling Championships were held in Toronto and The Boulevard Club was the host for Team Canada!
2000s
2004 - Demolition Party
In 2001, a plan was proposed to upgrade the Club to meet the changing interests and needs of current and future members as well as in order to survive and prosper. The East Wing which once housed Curling would be transformed into a new fitness centre and indoor pool. This photo was taken at the Demolition Party.
1984 - 2005
The first official health club opened in 1984 replacing two bowling alleys. On October 17, 1992 a new expanded Fitness Centre opened at the Club, and by 2005 it moved to the East Wing building where it is today.
2005
New indoor swimming pool opens.
2010s
2015 - New West Wing
The modern West Wing houses a state-of-the-art Badminton Centre, new men's and women's locker rooms (each with steam room and sauna), girls', boys', and family locker rooms, as well as a 3,000 square foot multi-purpose room, sports therapy treatment rooms, and aesthetics spa. Comfortable lounge areas offer expansive views of the water.