1. The Royal Ontario Museum opened a 6,000-square-foot dedicated event space on its second level in October. Available for daytime and evening rental, the room has light wood floors, 30-foot ceilings, and large windows overlooking Queen’s Park. The facility includes a kitchen and can seat 300 or hold 450 for receptions.
2. The Toronto Public Library’s new event centre opened in the Toronto Reference Library in September. On the second floor, the 12,500-square-foot space has windows overlooking the Rosedale Valley. Glass walls divide the venue into three areas, including a primary event space that can hold 460 for lectures.
3. Healthwinds the Health and Wellness Spa relocated to a new street-level space on Mount Pleasant Road in March 2009. The spa has eight treatment rooms and can accommodate groups of as many as 150. The reception area—filled with natural bamboo, glass, and stone—includes a spa shop that stocks organic health and beauty products.
4. Chef John Cirillo opened a cooking school and event space on Dundas Street West last spring. Cirillo’s Culinary Academy is a 4,200-square-foot facility equipped with six cooking stations, a chef’s station, a lounge, and a private dining room that holds 28. Groups can book the academy for a dinner function or a teambuilding activity. The venue accommodates as many as 40 for a hands-on cooking demonstration and 60 for receptions.
5. A $21 million investment transformed the old T.T.C. streetcar repair barns on Wychwood Avenue into an arts and environmental centre with 60,000 square feet of space. Opened in November 2008, Artscape Wychwood Barns is surrounded by a city park and has four barns, including the Covered Street Barn—a large open space offering year-round access for exhibitions, festivals, and community events.
Update: We have removed information about the Allsteel Resource Centre, which is no longer available for events.
