It looks like an odd Star Trek set, plopped in a quiet meadow. You'll find this strange saucer-shaped shelter on stilts along the Humber River Recreational Trail, Toronto. It has an oculus opening cut into its roof from which a circular beam light beams down onto concrete.It is actually a public bathroomor that was built in 1959 when Toronto had space-age fantasies. It was used to serve the new South Humber Park that was built in the wake of Hurricane Hazel. The 1954 storm, which killed 81 people and left thousands homeless by the flood waters of the Humber River, was Toronto's worst natural disaster. To ensure that no one would build homes on floodplains, a newly established conservation authority expropriated land. Alan Crossley, an architect, was hired to design the washroom.What locals call "The Oculus Pavilion" has been abandoned by graffiti artists for most of its current life. The washrooms have been closed for many years. It still serves a purpose: it is a wonder. It is quite a sight to see, with its strange structure peeking out of the trees at corners. The unique structure also creates an echo effect when you stand in its middle, which attracts musicians to perform impromptu acts or just to have a place to clap.The Oculus Pavilion has been in disrepair for years and is now ready to be refurbished. The site has been revitalized with public funds. A temporary art installation, Brighter Days Ahead, created by Giaimo from Toronto, has been placed on the site. It is covered in bright yellow tape to signify its bright future.
