Three Superb Toronto Private Sport and Social Clubs

By Elli Davis, September 26, 2012

Granite Club The aquatic facility

Joining a private sport and social club can be a great way for you and your family to meet new people in the Toronto area. But considering membership to such prestigious institutions isn’t exactly cheap or easy — you want to make sure you pick the right one. Here are three excellent clubs to consider — each with their own pros and cons to consider before making a decision.

The Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club

Facilities:

The 25-meter pool is truly a sight to behold. Half of the walls and ceilings are made of glass which can be opened to allow fresh air in during the summer or closed to keep you warm in the winter while still allowing the sun’s rays to cascade over you. The club also offers two ice rinks — one for year-round competitive figure skating and children’s skating classes and the other is a seasonal six-sheet curling rink. The fitness studio is two floors and also has exercise rooms which hold classes in everything from spinning to yoga. Near the fitness center are five squash courts for singles and two for doubles. Or if you’re a tennis player, you’ll be happy to know they have 11 Har-Tru Clay courts and 2 hard courts. Their expansive, well-kept field is perfect for a wide variety of sports such as cricket, croquet and lawn bowling.

The Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club

They also offer two dining areas for convenience. The downstairs bar and lounge is great for grabbing a quick bite after a workout or before a game. The elegant upstairs dining room is ideal for a special dinner and offers exquisite cuisine. It is also attached to a sitting area and ballroom if you ever need to hold a large event. During the summer there is also the options to sit on their vast outdoor patio and choose from either their elegant upstairs menu or their casual buffet and grill downstairs.

Membership:

Becoming a member typically requires that you complete an application form and be put forward by two existing members of the club. These individuals serve as references. If, however, you are new to the area or simply don’t know anyone currently at the club, you can still become a member. In such cases you can submit your application form and they will set you up with current members within the club who can meet with you and discuss your entrance. Unfortunately, there is no trial period, so you will want to make sure you get a thorough tour and feel comfortable in your decision before signing up.

Address: 141 Wilson Avenue, Toronto, Ontario
Phone number: 416-487-4581

Granite Club

Facilities:

Granite Golf Club

If you’re a swimmer, it’s hard to find a better option that what is available at the Granite Club. The aquatic facility offers two 25-metre, six-lane pools, a tadpool and an activity pool for little swimmers. Kids and teens will be eager to take part in some of the classes such as learn-to-swim, synchronized swimming, competitive racing and lifesaving. Because of its relatively central location at Bayview and Lawrence, it isn’t able to offer members a golf course on-site. But the Granite Golf Club is available in Stouffville, Ontario. Or if that’s a little too out of the way for you, you can always brush up your skills at their covered winter golf academy. The club also has a large and well-kept skating rink that has housed such greats as Patrick Chan and Barbara Ann Scott. If you’re a tennis lover, you’ll be happy to call the Granite Club your home considering it has over twenty tennis courts with different turfs to suit individual needs. The club also offers badminton, lawn bowling, squash, curling and a fitness facility. The club also has a wide variety of dining options. Depending on your desires, you can grab a quick bite at the Snack Shop, enjoy a business lunch at the Sports Cafe & Bar or treat yourself to something truly exquisite at the Granite Dining Room, Bistro and Bar.

Membership:

Because The Granite Club is such a highly sought after multi-sport facility, the best way to become a member is by being proposed by current members of the club. If you are a golfer, keep in mind that although the Granite Golf Club was started by the Granite Club, they are now separate entities so the memberships are separate and unique.

Address: 2350 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario
Phone number: 416-449-8713

Bayview Golf and Country Club

Facilities:

Bayview Golf and Country Club

If you’re close to the Northern end of Toronto, the Bayview Golf and Country Club’s location just above Leslie and Steeles may work out perfectly for you. The club offers an 18-hole championship golf course, several tennis courts, a six-sheet curling rink, a 1, 600 sq. ft. fitness centre and an outdoor swimming pool. The golf course consistently ranks among Score Magazine’s Top 100 courses in Canada and has hosted many professional and amateur championships. The club prides itself on being open to people from all walks of life. They are a family club and are always looking to welcome new members.

Membership:

They offer a variety of packages so you can pick the one that is best suited to your particular needs. For instance, if you primarily want to take advantage of the dining area and social clubs you can opt for a less expensive membership. Or if there’s a particular sport you want to take part in, you can focus on that when selecting the membership option that works best. If you’re a golf player you will really benefit from joining Bayview because unlike many clubs that charge separate fees for each activity you want to take part in, Bayview offers an “all-in” golf activity fee which lets you enjoy their fitness facilities, tennis courts and curling rinks at no additional cost with your golf membership. If you are seriously considering joining, be sure to ask about their “trial” memberships. The golf trial is 6 months while the tennis trial is for the whole year and you can join the other sections of the club such at curling and fitness as well. They are currently almost at their cap for golf memberships so act quickly if you don’t want to get put on the waiting list. You can become a member through a variety of means. If you know two people within the club that can sponsor you, that’s great. If not, a professional reference and financial check can be used as well.

Address: 25 Fairway Heights Drive, Thornhill, Ontario
Phone number: 905-889-4833

Posted in Toronto Real Estate News | No Comments »