History

B&R through the years.

The Badminton and Racquet Club of Toronto was founded in 1924 by a small group of badminton enthusiasts in a historic former streetcar barn on St. Clair Avenue at Yonge Street. The Club has since grown to become a preeminent Canadian private racquet, fitness, wellness and social club, and our recent extensive clubhouse renovation sets us on a path for an even more exciting future.

By the 1920s, the Yonge and St. Clair area of Toronto was a thriving intersection with fine shopping and elegant homes, including numerous wealthy estates like “Oakland” (which later became De La Salle College) and Sir Henry Pellatt's "Casa Loma". Havergal College left its original St. Clair Avenue location and moved north to Lawrence Ave. and Avenue Rd, leaving an open spot on St. Clair Ave that would soon become the home of the stately Granite Club, which eventually became the Granite Place condos.

Lieutenant-Colonel George Gooderham Blackstock was an Officer Order of the British Empire recipient and senior executive of numerous companies including Steep Rock Mines. A driving force for badminton in Toronto, Blackstock and a group of colleagues played at The Toronto Garrison Badminton Club but wanted a better facility. The Toronto Transportation Commission (they were not using the word 'Transit' yet) was amalgamating numerous transportation operations and no longer needed the Toronto and York Radial Railway streetcar barns which were located on a hidden property on St. Clair Ave. Blackstock led the charge to acquire the St. Clair property and started the B&R with a few members that soon grew to about 500, many of whom were among the elite of Toronto business and social life.

The original streetcar barn formed the core of the Club then housing seven badminton courts. Aspects of the original barn are still used today although the majority of the space has now been repurposed to better serve the needs of today’s membership and as a result of a major fire in 2017.

The B&R, known for its members’ passion for racquet sports and zest for life, has a history of innovation and reinvention. The compact size of the property has influenced the strategic direction of the Club for many decades and has ensured that it has remained intimate, a true strength of the Club today. Over the years, Club leaders and designers have been innovative, adding facilities and reallocating space to maximize the potential of the property and continue to meet the needs of our membership.

Over nine decades the Club has had a remarkable transformation, from a small badminton club to one of the premier racquets, fitness, and social clubs in Canada. As we head off on a new and exciting chapter, the future is very bright.

Visitor

Parking

• Guests are permitted to use the Manulife underground parking garage after 6:00 pm on weeknights and during Club hours on weekends & holidays.
• Guests must be on Club premises when parking at the Club.
• Guests are not allowed to leave their cars overnight in the underground parking garage. Unauthorized cars will be towed away at the member's expense.   

Cell Phones

• Cell phone conversations are only permitted in front of the singles squash courts on the first floor of the Club or on the second floor overlooking the tennis courts. Cell phone conversations are not permitted in any other area of the Club.
• Electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and cell phones are permitted in the Courtside.
• Use of cameras or devices with camera or video capabilities  are prohibited in all locker room areas.

Dress Code

Athletics

White attire is required for all athletics except for platform tennis and the fitness facilities. Proper footwear is required but there are no colour restrictions. Eye guards are mandatory on the squash courts and highly recommended for badminton and platform tennis.

Social

We strive to create a welcoming atmosphere for all our members and guests. Neat casual clothing, including jeans, workout wear, and tennis whites can be worn in the Courtside Lounge. No athletic attire in the Phoenix restaurant.