McLaughlin Planetarium, Toronto
The Toronto Urban Sketchers are racing around Toronto to draw landmarks that are at risk or are slated for demolition. The sketches and stories of these structures will be collected and celebrated in a book to be published later this year.
Last weekend, we headed to the McLaughlin Planetarium (1968) just south of the Royal Ontario Museum. It will be demolished and replaced with a new museum and university facilities once all the fundraising is complete. It’s been closed for 20 years, but it was amazing to us Sketchers how many people went up to the locked doors to try to visit!
The exterior is looking a little rough – rust stains all over, and the cement facade and dome need a good power wash. It’s sad to see these buildings neglected. I remember seeing a show in the Planetarium as a university student – Beatles music set to some spectacular night skies! “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” in glorious surround-sound in reclining chairs looking up at the stars – fantastic!
Art We Wonderful by Marion Younan 
Very nice sketch! It is sad that these buildings that hold so many memories are torn down. Glad to know there is a book being planned to celebrate them! I too remember going to the planetarium for a laser light show to music.