Toronto Sports Highlights

By Cynthea Penman, SLA Toronto Chapter

For both the sports enthusiast, and the avid sports spectator, June is a great month to be in Toronto!

For the Sports Enthusiast

Toronto offers a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor sports activities, and June has ideal weather for spending time in the sunshine. Down by the waterfront, dedicated bike paths and walking trails stretch east and west from downtown, with the paths on the west hugging the waters’ edge all the way. There are also trails through the city’s many parks. Marathons and walks, often for charitable causes, take place at various locations throughout the city, and most offer a variety of distances.

If tennis is more your game, public courts are dotted around the city. There are a number of public golf courses and driving ranges, including a multi-level range a short distance from the convention centre.

For indoor activities, in the downtown core, there are numerous fitness facilities (e.g. Goodlife Fitness, Fitness Institute), as well as those in the hotels. Specialty pursuits such as yoga and Pilates can also be accommodated. Rock wall climbing is offered by Joe Rockhead’s and The Rock Oasis, to name just 2.

The Docks is also worth a visit, as it houses all sorts of sports and entertainment activities, and special events. Its close proximity to downtown, on the waterfront, makes it easily accessible.

For the Sports Spectator

The American League Toronto Blue Jays baseball team will be in full swing and their games provide great sports and entertainment value, with a wide range of affordable tickets prices. Check their schedule for home games. The Jays play at Skydome, a multi-purpose sports facility with the amazing retractable roof – rain or shine, the game goes on, in comfort ! Unfortunately, the Jays are on the road from May 30, and not returning until June 13. Skydome is at the base of the CN Tower, and just west of the convention centre.

Skydome is also the home of the Toronto Argonaut football team, part of the Canadian Football League. Their season will have just started when SLA comes to Toronto.

A short distance from Skydome is the Air Canada Centre, home of the Toronto Maple Leaf NHL hockey team, and the Toronto Raptors NBA basketball team – but you’ll have to come back in the winter months to see these 2 teams.

Tours for Everyone

For a behind-the-scenes look, tours of both Skydome and the Air Canada Centre are available. A must-see for hockey enthusiasts, is the Hockey Hall of Fame - a treasure-trove of hockey memorabilia and history, located in BCE Place.

Horseracing enthusiasts will want to head out to Woodbine race track, for both thoroughbred and standardbred events. Buses direct to the track are available from both the Islington and Kipling subway stations.

And don’t forget - after the game!

Sports bars are everywhere! Whether you’re wanting to relax in a sports atmosphere, or watch your favourite team on a big-screen tv, there are many “watering holes” to choose from. Close to the convention centre are Gretzky’s and The Loose Moose.