A historic building in downtown Barrie could be on the move because of a condo development.
The Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regimental Museum, which was the former armoury, has stood on Mulcaster Street since 1889, but the street corner will soon look very different.
A 20-storey condo building is being built and for construction to take place the armoury may have to move
“Recently the developer came forward and said they can’t leave the building on that property during construction,” says Barry Ward, city councillor. “They have to actually drill underneath it.”
During a committee meeting on Monday, city councillors went over the proposal.
If the plan goes forward, the armoury would be moved during the condo construction to another temporary location. When the construction is finished, the armoury would be put back, but turned around so it faces Collier Street.
“As long as there’s no structural damage to the building and they bring it up front and more people can see it, it's just going to be more exposure to the building and more people will visit it,” Ward says.
Moving it presents many challenges, but Heritage Barrie representatives say it is feasible.
While the armoury itself belongs to the city, the entire move and relocation of it would be paid for by the developer.
City councillors passed a motion to gather more information on the possible move. They haven't decided yet whether it will actually happen.
That will depend on the new information they receive.
