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
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who had sex with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi still missing after helicopter accident in mountains
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.