Introducing Pool Sides: The Signature Taste of TPASC
Photo Credit: Rachel Ivey/TPASC
Inside the south atrium of the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TPASC), there’s a restaurant that stands apart—not just for what’s on the menu, but for who it’s made by.
Pool Sides Bar & Grille is more than a food stop. It’s a homegrown, fully TPASC-operated restaurant designed by our team, for our people — members, athletes, staff, parents, and every visitor who calls this place part of their routine.
Born from a simple idea — that nourishment should feel just as connected as movement — Pool Sides has become a quiet cornerstone of the TPASC experience. It’s where people gather after swim practice, before a workout, between classes, or while cheering on their kids from the sidelines. It’s where performance, comfort, and community come together — on a plate.
Fuel That Feels Like Home
The menu at Pool Sides is as diverse as the community it feeds. You’ll find comfort food classics like burgers and pasta bowls sitting right next to vibrant, nourishing options like salads and custom wraps. There’s no one-size-fits-all here — and that’s the point.
A teriyaki rice bowl one day, a creamy penne with grilled chicken the next. Or maybe it’s a build-your-own wrap tailored to your tastes and training needs. The portions are generous. The pricing is accessible. And the options are designed to meet people where they are — whether they’re recovering from a workout, waiting for a lesson to end, or just in need of a familiar, satisfying bite.
“Definitely would recommend the creamy penne pasta with grilled chicken and the steak sandwich,” one TPASC visitor shared. “Portions are huge!”
Another happy customer Sprayz, also enjoyed the Pool Sides Bar & Grille experience: “Burgers and fries here are great.”
All of this highlights the dedication that was put into creating this unique restaurant. Ayden Cichy, the Supervisor of Food Services for Pool Sides Bar & Grille, talked about building the restaurant from the ground-up:
“What makes Pool Sides unique is that it’s personal — we built this from the ground up with our own team, and every item on the menu is something we believe serves our members well. It’s more than a restaurant — it’s a space where people feel part of something bigger.”
Photo Credit: Rachel Ivey/TPASC
Made Here. For Here.
What makes Pool Sides truly special isn’t just the food — it’s the philosophy behind it. This isn’t a franchise or chain. This is TPASC’s own restaurant, imagined and operated by the very people who run this facility every day. The ones who know what our members need, what our athletes crave, and what parents appreciate between sessions.
That’s what sets Pool Sides apart. It’s not just another tenant — it’s a reflection of TPASC itself: welcoming, hardworking, and built on community connection.
As Rachel Ivey, Supervisor of Events & Special Projects at TPASC, puts it:
“My favorite snack is the Build-a-Wrap at Pool Sides. You get to choose your toppings, and it’s the best bang for your buck.”
When people eat here, they’re not just grabbing a meal — they’re participating in the rhythm of the space. They’re fuelling a practice, celebrating a win, or simply finding a quiet moment between the chaos. Pool Sides was designed to make space for all of it.
Photo Credit: Rachel Ivey/TPASC
A Place to Gather, Refuel, and Belong
With its spacious seating, casual atmosphere, and full-service bar, Pool Sides Bar & Grille isn’t just for quick bites — it’s also a place to pause. A space for teammates to debrief after a tough match. For parents to catch up over coffee. For staff to sit and swap stories over a bowl of fries or a warm sandwich.
It’s this atmosphere — relaxed, accessible, and a little bit proud — that makes Pool Sides feel like part of TPASC’s core. Whether you’re here daily or dropping in for a weekend event, it’s a place where you’re welcomed like a regular.
And for those planning something more formal, Pool Sides also offers event catering and private group bookings, with custom menus available for everything from birthday parties to team meetings.
Photo Credit: Rachel Ivey/TPASC
The Signature Taste of TPASC
More than anything, Pool Sides represents something that’s often hard to capture in a brand: a sense of place. It’s not trying to be flashy or overhyped. It’s grounded, practical, flexible, and proud of where it comes from — just like TPASC itself. It’s rare to find a facility of this scale that offers its own in-house dining experience — one that’s tailored to its members, run by its team, and evolving alongside its community. But at TPASC, that’s exactly what Pool Sides is. It’s part of the culture. Part of the pride. Part of what makes this place more than a venue — it makes it a home.
Pool Sides Bar and Grille is open seven days a week, operating on the following hours:
Monday - Saturday: 11:00am - 8:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am - 6:00pm