Total fire ban in effect in the City of Barrie
A total fire ban is in effect in the City of Barrie after the fire danger rating was elevated to
extreme due to ongoing dry conditions.
During this ban, all types of burning, including campfires, brush burning, charcoal barbecues, and the use of fireworks are prohibited. Cooking appliances with a mechanical shutoff, such as propane or natural gas equipment, are permitted during a fire ban. However, they must be placed on a hard surface, deck, or non-flammable area, maintaining a significant distance from any combustible materials.
Community-use barbeques located in Tyndale Park and Centennial Park are also closed
during this time.
The fire ban will remain in effect until further notice.
For more information and to check the fire danger rating status, visit barrie.ca/BurnPermits.
Artists invited to apply to display work at Barrie’s City Hall
The City of Barrie is now accepting submissions for works of art to be featured in City Hall’s
First Floor Gallery. Artists, collectives, art schools, organizations, and clubs are encouraged to apply for two-month exhibition periods running late 2025 through 2026. Selected
artists/organizations will be compensated.
Deadline to apply: August 25, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Details and submission form: barrie.ca/FirstFloorGallery
Last chance! Nominations open for Barrie Arts Awards
Nominations for the 2025 Barrie Arts Awards are open until August 25, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. These awards celebrate individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the arts sector. Winners will be honoured at the annual gala on Tuesday, November 18.
Nominations are open for the following categories:
- Artist Beyond Barriers
- Business Champion
- Contribution to the Community
- Emerging Artist
- Excellence in the Arts
- Most Promising Youth
To submit a nomination or learn more about the Barrie Arts Awards, visit investbarrie.ca/ArtsAwards.
Registration opens August 26 for fall recreation programs
The City will open registration for fall recreation programs on Tuesday, August 26, at 8 a.m.
Customers can browse programs now and use the “Wish List” feature at play.barrie.ca. Non-resident registration opens September 2, at 8 a.m. Effective August 26, 2025, the non-resident fee for recreation programs/memberships will increase to 25%.
Register online or in person at City rec centres or City Hall. Learn about fee assistance at
barrie.ca/recACCESS.
City hosts Game On! After Dark evening gaming event
Go head-to-head in a FREE video game tournament at the City of Barrie’s annual Game On! After Dark event. The 19-plus gaming tournament takes place Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Five Points Theatre.
The event will once again be hosted by Canadian hip-hop artist, three-time Juno Award winner and video game voice actor, Infinite, of the “The Infinite and Louise Show”, along with Louise Jackson, a dedicated leader and inspirational speaker.
Registration is now open! For more details and to register, visit barrie.ca/GameOn.
Second property tax instalment of final bill due September 29, 2025
The second instalment of the final 2025 property tax bill is due on September 29, 2025. The final bill is issued each May and was mailed to all households. It is calculated using
your assessed value and the Council-approved tax rates for the current year, less the interim bill amount.
Options for paying your tax bills include:
- Pay Your Bills Online: Use online banking or an online bill payment service provider.
- In-Person Payments: Visit your bank, Service Barrie (First floor of City Hall – 70 Collier Street) or by dropping off a cheque in the drop boxes located at the front entrance of City Hall (70 Collier Street).
- Pre-authorized Payments: Sign up for pre-authorized payment plans to avoid delays.
- Mail: Mail a cheque to Service Barrie, P.O. Box 400, Barrie, ON, L4M 4T5. The cheque
should be payable to the City of Barrie. Please allow enough time for payments to be
received prior to the due date.
For details, visit barrie.ca/PropertyTaxes.
Reminder: No tents or sunshades at the beach
Tents or sunshades are not permitted at beaches and waterfront parks unless they are supported by no more than one pole and have no more than one wall or side. This helps keep sight-lines clear and beaches safe for everyone.
For more details, visit barrie.ca/beaches.
Construction projects progress across Barrie
The City of Barrie is continuing road improvements and infrastructure upgrades this summer, with over $100 million being invested in 27 construction projects and the paving of 42 kilometres of roadway.
Major multi-year construction projects are taking place, along with several resurfacing projects to prevent deterioration and costly repairs.
For a full list of projects, detailed information, and to view the interactive construction map, visit barrie.ca/roadwork.
Resident digital waterfront parking permits extended!
All current and future digital waterfront permits are now valid until December 31, 2026. The
extension has been automatically applied to all active resident digital permit holders.
Barrie residents can continue to enjoy free parking in designated waterfront areas with a digital permit – no hangtag or payment info needed. Simply register your licence plate through the
HotSpot app or website.
For more details and to apply, visit barrie.ca/WaterfrontParking.
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.
