The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka has major plans for its Barrie location.

The YMCA announced its making an application to the City of Barrie for an Official Plan amendment to have its property on 22 Grove Street rezoned. The Y is planning to build a new location in the city.

“We have consulted with our community for two years to create our vision for a new Y,” said Rob Armstrong, CEO, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “These are exciting times for us. Both the development plan for the Grove Street site and the vision for the new YMCA will bring positive change to Barrie.”

The proposal includes four contemporary residential rental buildings.

The property has been designated by the city as an intensification node.

“The site is within Barrie’s intensification node and includes 924 apartment suites, a resident amenity centre, and underground parking for all 4 buildings,” said Armstrong. “This is a carefully designed development that will significantly address our city’s need for rental housing in Barrie, increase opportunities for affordable housing, and provides a new park for the neighbourhood.”

The buildings are designed to be positioned in a green-space setting with parkland buffering the existing Grove Street neighbourhood.

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka will use the development and sale of the Grove Street property to assist in funding for the new Barrie location.

“We have consulted a broad section of the community. They have worked with us to create a remarkable vision for our new facility and we are excited for what the new Y will bring to our community,” said Diana Vangelist, YMCA board chair. “They have worked with us to create a remarkable vision for our new facility and we are excited for what the new Y will bring to our community.”

The proposed development will be phased and the existing  facility will remain open until the new YMCA is built.

“There will be very little disruption for existing users and no change in staffing,” said Vangelist.

The new location is expected to be announced in the near future.