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National Post

Pro squash gets studio treatment in Toronto ahead of Olympic debut in 2028

Much has changed on the pro squash scene since Lee Beachill was last in Toronto as a tour player nearly two decades ago. Article content The broadcast product has improved exponentially. Replay challenges have helped match flow and cut down on player-referee interaction. And the biggie, of course, is squash can finally be called an Olympic sport. Article content Article content The SmartCentres PSA Tour Finals, which started Monday at the Revival Film Studios in the city's east end, are serving as a dress rehearsal of sorts for the Los Angeles Games in 2028. Article content 'I just think the tie-in with the whole film side of it and the fact that we're going to be on the Back to the Future lot in Universal (Studios) in three years time is just quite a nice tie-in,' said Beachill, now the Pro Squash Association's chief operating officer. Article content The Toronto studio, which lists Good Will Hunting, Cinderella Man and Pixels among the 200-plus films on its credit list, is hosting the five-day competition. Article content With limited invites to the top eight men's and women's players in the world, the all-glass showcourt shines brightly in the heart of the 12,000-square-foot Stage 3, complete with a backcourt grandstand with theatrical touches throughout. Article content A set that mimicked the Harrow School — a facility near London where squash was born nearly two centuries ago — has been erected behind the court. Article content Photos of the sport's greats adorn the walls inside the doors — Hashim Khan, Nicol David and Canada's Jonathon Power, to name a few — along with an Olympic poster featuring the L.A. Games logo. Article content Article content 'I think we'll be the talk of LA28 in terms of the venue being so unique,' Beachill said. 'I think it'll be one of those tickets that people will want to get their hands on to come and watch. Article content 'Not just necessarily because it's squash but just the experience of going to watch an Olympic sport at Universal Studios is probably a once-in-a-lifetime (opportunity).' Article content Beachill, a former world No. 1, made several appearances as a player in Toronto when the city hosted the YMG Capital Classic (later called the Pace Canadian Squash Classic) at nearby Brookfield Place. Article content When plans to hold the 2004-25 Tour Finals in Bellevue, Wash., fell apart, the Ontario capital moved to the forefront as a host city. Beachill said it helped that Toronto has always been a solid squash market. Article content 'I want to continue to try and bring this level of event and this level of athlete back here year after year,' he said. 'So that's what we're going to be working on, hopefully we can have a few conversations this week and see where we go for next year and the years to come.'