Spadina Wavedeck

An important milestone in the central waterfront revitalization was reached in September when the Spadina wavedeck opened. The wavedeck is the first project to be realized from the central waterfront winning design by West 8.

The wavedeck is a success because it creates new habitable public space. Previously the south side of Queen’s Quay West at Spadina Avenue was a narrow sidewalk and guardrail. The new wavedeck widens the sidewalk and adds continuous bench space. It is a pleasant surprise that Waterfront Toronto was able to build the decking without a railing at the edge (although railings are present to help with the pitch of the curved deckwork.) It is a rare case when safety steps aside for beauty.

There are some shortcomings. The stacked wood that forms the sides of the interwoven pathways has an unfinished look. And the curve of the deck is not as dramatic as pre-construction renderings showed. Waterfront Toronto has promised other wavedecks will be more rounded. The project was originally touted for spring completion but was only unveiled in September.

The Spadina wavedeck may not be fully used until the rest of the pieces of the central waterfront design are put into place, but for now, Waterfront Toronto can point to it as tangible progress. Rees and Lower Simcoe wavedecks may be usable by Summer 2009.