Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

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Tarmola, 1927-1968

Photos by John Kertesz - Posted September, 2016

On a footpath at the western end of Riverside Drive south of Steeles Avenue West, west of Islington Avenue, can be seen this plaque. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.757354 -79.583429

Click here for a larger map

(Actual site: 1 km N.E.) This was the site of Tarmola, established in 1927 by the Finnish Society of Toronto as a summer retreat for Finnish workers and artisans. Volunteers built a large recreational complex here, including athletic facilities, an open-air dance pavilion and bandshell, a sauna, a restaurant, and rental cottages. During the 1930's, at a time when there were few other comparable athletic fields, many Canadian Olympians trained at Tarmola. The site regularly hosted Finnish-Canadian cultural and athletic festivals. As many as 3000 people would attend performances featuring choirs and bands from across the country, and track and field championships with athletes representing as many as 77 sports clubs from Salmon Arm, B.C. to Val D'Or, Quebec. The property was sold to the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority in 1968.

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