2025 traffic calming measures underway
Traffic calming is the installation of physical measures to alter negative motorist driving
behaviour. The objective is to achieve uniform driving patterns at reduced speeds on roads
where lower speeds enhance safety and livability in neighbourhoods.
As part of this year’s measures, speed cushion installation began April 14. Nearby residents have been notified by letter.
Traffic Services staff within the Development Services Department work with ward councillors each year to determine locations for seasonal traffic calming, which may also include flexible bollards or planters. Stay tuned for more information on their installation timing.
For more details and to see 2025 locations, visit barrie.ca/TrafficCalming.
Attend the Building Services Open House on May 1
Thinking about a home renovation, addition, or building a deck? Drop in to the Building Services Open House! The event is free, and no registration is required.
- Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
- Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Location: Dorian Parker Centre, 227 Sunnidale Road, Barrie
This is an opportunity to:
- Learn about building permits and building inspections from City staff
- Pick up building project resources related to home renovation projects
Learn more about Building Services at barrie.ca/building.
Barrie Theatres presents: The Musical Magic of Alan Menken
The City of Barrie Theatres presents “A Whole New World: The Musical Magic of Alan Menken” on May 2 and 3 at Five Points Theatre. Perfect for the whole family!
Revisit your childhood with the iconic music of Alan Menken, the master songwriter of Aladdin, Beauty And The Beast, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, and Little Shop Of Horrors. Discover how his music gave us a whole new world of animated characters, stories, and classic films. Hear all your favourite hits including Be Our Guest, Part Of Your World, Friend Like Me, Under The Sea, Colors of the Wind, Go The Distance, Suddenly Seymour, and of course, A Whole New World.
For show times and tickets, visit barrie.ca/TheatreTickets.
Celebrate Drinking Water Week – May 4 to 10
Join the City of Barrie in celebrating Drinking Water Week from May 4 to 10! This week
highlights the essential role of tap water in daily life, the infrastructure that delivers it to homes and businesses, and the critical work of water professionals who ensure its safety and reliability.
To mark the occasion, Water Operations is offering free public tours of the Surface Water
Treatment Plant on May 7. Tours will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at 20 Royal Parkside Drive. Learn about the process and what it takes to provide safe, reliable drinking water. Additionally, visit the Barrie Public Library Downtown Branch on May 7 and 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to discover how you can help protect our water at the source. Whether you are a home or business owner, find simple steps you can take to protect drinking water. For more details on both events, visit barrie.ca/Events.
To learn more about Barrie’s Drinking Water, visit barrie.ca/WaterTreatment.
Construction Job Fair – May 7, 2025
Looking for work in the construction industry? The 2025 Construction Job Fair is taking place on Wednesday, May 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Allandale Recreation Centre (190 Bayview Drive).
Hosted by Invest Barrie in partnership with the Barrie Construction Association, this free, drop-in event is your chance to connect with employers from across the construction sector – no registration required.
Job seekers can explore a wide range of opportunities, including general and skilled labourers, project coordinators, electricians, drivers, inspectors, carpenters, machine operators, and more.
For more information, visit investbarrie.ca.
Deadline extended! City seeking local art for traffic cabinet wraps
The City of Barrie is calling on local artists to submit original artwork for its annual traffic cabinet wrapping program. This initiative transforms traffic cabinets into public art, adding vibrancy to the city while helping to reduce graffiti. The 2025 theme, Colours of our Community, invites artists to showcase their unique style through community-inspired designs.
The proposal deadline has been extended to Wednesday, April 30, at 5 p.m. Selected artists will be compensated for their work, and artwork installation will take place this fall.
For full details on submission eligibility and requirements, and to apply online, visit
barrie.ca/GraffitiAbatementArtwork.
Ice storm cleanup operations continue across Barrie
Cleanup efforts continue following the late March ice storm, with support from other Ontario municipalities. Crews are working daily to clear roads, sidewalks, parks, and other public spaces.
What’s happening now
- Curbside cleanup: Ice storm cleanup crews will collect any brush piled at the curb.
Crews will be making multiple passes throughout Barrie in the coming months. - Tree assessments: Trees identified as structurally unsound and will be scheduled for
removal at a future date based on a hazard-level priority from the Tree Risk Assessments underway.
Brush tipping fees waived at landfill
To support ongoing storm cleanup efforts, the City is continuing to waive residential brush
tipping fees at the landfill site until Saturday, May 31. The landfill, located at 272 Ferndale Drive North, is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To further support the cleanup, Saturday hours have been extended to 6:30 p.m. until May 31.
The Recycling Depot (at the lower gate area) is temporarily accepting small loads of residential brush debris. Large loads or commercial traffic must use the upper landfill/scales. Please be patient as staff work to manage the increased demand. Additionally, mulch is currently available for free and finished compost is available for purchase. Kindly bring a shovel and containers for loading and wear appropriate footwear. For more information, visit barrie.ca/landfill.
Please note: The City’s yard waste collection program is also underway, but it operates
separately from the ice storm cleanup.
For ongoing updates, visit barrie.ca/IceStorm.
Planning for a backyard fire? Here’s what you need to know!
The City of Barrie offers two types of permits for outdoor burning – Outdoor Solid Fuel-
Burning Appliance (OSFBA) Permits for contained fires in approved appliances, and Open Air Burning Permits for rare, open fires like agricultural burns.
Both permits ensure safe and responsible burning for recreational purposes only.
Permits can be purchased online or in person, and tenants will need written permission from their landlord.
To learn more or apply for a permit, visit barrie.ca/BurnPermits.
Presented by The City of Barrie
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of The City of Barrie and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of iPolitics.
