Barrie city council proposes new turf sports field along waterfront
The City of Barrie is looking to take a step forward with plans for a new multi-use sports field along the waterfront, which will be brought to the general committee this week.
The proposed motion includes the recommendation for the field to feature a turf surface.
With only two existing turf fields in Barrie, Maple Ridge Secondary School and J.C. Massie Field at Georgian College, both owned and operated by their respective institutions, the City has identified the urgent need for a third turf field.
"When you think about the growth here in the City of Barrie, the number of people that are moving here, certainly we need to have more recreational space than we had in the past," said Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall.
The proposed premium synthetic turf surface for a multi-use field at South Shore Park is part of a larger $4.5 million project, which also includes relocating Barrie's Sea Cadets to a new facility.
However, the project has faced opposition from residents concerned about preserving the waterfront's natural greenery.
"I can understand there is a need for facilities. I don't necessarily see that they have to remove the last piece of natural planting in the City to do that," stated Bill Scott, former chair of the Allandale Neighbourhood Association.
Design concept for a new multi-purpose field along the Allandale Waterfront in Barrie, Ont. (Source: City of Barrie)
In contrast, the proposal has garnered support from various quarters, including the Barrie Soccer Club, which sees the potential for expanded recreational space as beneficial for multiple groups.
The Club said, "We asked the City to consider additional 'all weather' field space as youth soccer is trending to be an eight-to-nine month outdoor sport, and fields of this nature are so desperately needed. A recreational space would benefit not only Barrie SC, but likely many other youth clubs, including the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets of Barrie."
That sentiment was echoed by local business owners who could benefit from more downtown traffic.
"Anything we can do to help bring families downtown and rejuvenate the businesses down here would be great," noted Joe Turner, general manager of Donaleigh's Irish Public House.
If approved by council on May 15, the project aims to start construction in October and be completed in July 2025, pending the successful completion of the permit phase this summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The root cause': Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Prosecution rests in Donald Trump’s hush money case. The defence now gets its turn to call witnesses
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.