Sugar Beach was anything but sweet when Aldershot started construction. One hectare adjacent to the active Toronto harbour contained an old wharf and 9000 cu metres of contaminated soil. Like many other early 20th century harbours in North America, the land had a run-down industrial feel and didn’t attract either tourists or families. But after Toronto Waterfront Trust hired designer Claude Cormier to come up with a new concept, Aldershot quickly started bringing his vision to reality.
Work started with demolition of the wharf and removal of old soil. Then, Aldershot sourced a special grade of porous and free draining sand of the sort you might see in a golf course. Next challenge? Finding the right rocks. The designer wanted to recreate the rock outcrop from the Canadian shield. Aldershot found what they needed in Quebec, from an area just north of Trois-Rivières. Then, they planted willow trees along the beach edge and installed a spray-pad for children. And the finishing touch? Custom-manufactured fibreglass and stainless steel pink umbrellas and deck chairs. The weatherproof pink umbrellas lend a charming, festive air to the scene perhaps making onlookers suspect they have mysteriously landed on a beach in Monaco or San Tropez.
