Under the Railway Bridge

Walking along the path from Toronto shopping centre to Fennel Bay railway station, you will encounter an old railway bridge known as Stoney Creek Bridge. It was here that the Stoney Creek Amateur Swimming Club was established in 1930 and where this flag, in the club colours of blue and gold, was proudly flown.

The club quickly established itself by roping off an area to form a pool, constructing bathing sheds, a club house, and a jetty for use as a diving platform – complete with lights strung across the creek for night training. Club championships started within a year of the club’s formation and in 1933 the first women’s races were held. The club built upon the vacation swimming lessons for school children started in the mid-1920s by introducing junior competitions along with novelty events to build water confidence.

The Stoney Creek Club was one of many established in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The lifting of restrictions on daylight and mixed bathing; an increased focus on water safety; and, changes in swimming costume restrictions, design and manufacture made swimming for leisure and exercise a viable proposition.

As the club thrived, the pool and surrounding areas became increasingly popular for picnics and other water-based activities. However this popularity impacted negatively upon water quality. By 1980, the creek was posing a risk to health and so the club was disbanded.

Subsequent work by the local Landcare group has remediated the creek and its surroundings creating a pleasant picnic, boating and fishing spot. Although the swimming club was not revived along with the landscape, fifty years of people proudly swimming under this flag helped create a more water-safe, fit, and engaged community.