Skyline Pool Hall

This is a cool location and an emotional and personal exploration at the same time. A snapshot of the changing urban needs of West Hamilton as McMaster University grows and large public transit developments lay on the horizon. The pool hall is one of a group of abandoned buildings at the intersection of Rifle Range/Ewen and Main street that reflect the needs of the many residential and educational buildings in the neighbourhood. The entire block is to be demolished in the name of new condos aimed at McMaster students. An auto body shop in this block is the remaining in use building and I have heard from multiple people that they are holding out for the best price.

The only pictures I have off hand are low quality interiors of the pool hall. I went to this pool hall very frequently when I was a student at McMaster. I would go with friends and I would go on dates here knowing I would get served some of the strongest drinks Ive ever had. The owner was this hardcore greek guy named Tony who, on more then one occasions, would lock the front doors at 2am, bust out joints and other substances, and serve us drinks until we left hours later. He never liked me to much but he got on well with a bunch of my friends so I got to partake in these evenings occasionally. One time I went with a friend who was wearing a cheech and chong t shirt. Tony immediately bought the shirt off his back for the price of two beers and hung it up behind the bar. The pool hall represents many amazing memories and relationships I have had. It was overwhelming to explore it and very emotionally powerful.