This Week in Barrie: Week of July 20

Toronto FC II relocates to Barrie as City unveils Canada’s newest soccer stadium

The City of Barrie, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), MLS NEXT Pro, and Barrie Stadium Group have announced a landmark partnership that will bring professional soccer to downtown Barrie through the relocation of Toronto FC II of MLS NEXT Pro, beginning with the 2028-2029 season. As part of the partnership, the City is investing $26 million to construct a purpose-built, soccer-specific stadium in downtown Barrie. The stadium will serve as the future home of the Barrie MLS NEXT Pro team and support local sport, community events, entertainment programming and economic activity, while helping strengthen Barrie’s downtown and waterfront area. Barrie Stadium Group will support the City in developing and operating the new downtown stadium. 

For more information about MLS NEXT Pro, visit mlsnextpro.com.

Celebrate summer at Barrie’s free Youth Event

Barrie youth under 19 are invited to kick off the summer at a fun-filled community celebration hosted by the Barrie Youth Council. Enjoy an afternoon of free food, live music, games, and opportunities to connect with friends and fellow youth in the community.

Join us on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre (205 Lakeshore Drive).

The event is free to attend and organized by the City of Barrie Youth Council.

Learn more at barrie.ca/YouthCouncil.

Communities in Bloom event happening on July 25

Celebrate 30 years of Barrie’s participation in Communities in Bloom! Join us on Saturday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a drop-in event at City Hall (70 Collier St.) to recognize the residents, volunteers, and community partners who have helped make Barrie an award-winning municipality.

Learn more about Communities in Bloom at barrie.ca/CommunitiesInBloom.

Cool off and have fun at Barrie Fire and Emergency Service Hot Summer Nights

Barrie Fire and Emergency Service (BFES) will host two free Hot Summer Nights this summer – the first at Sunnidale Park (265 Sunnidale Road) on Thursday, July 30, from 6 to 8 p.m., and the second on Thursday, August 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Madelaine Park (90 Madelaine Drive). Everyone is welcome to join the fun and cool off under the spray from BFES trucks. Participate in family-friendly activities, learn about lifesaving fire safety tips, and take tours of the fire trucks.

Visit barrie.ca/HotSummerNights for event details.

Explore the Story Behind Barrie’s Drinking Water

Want to learn more about where Barrie’s drinking water comes from and how it’s protected? Explore the Source Water Protection Story Map, an interactive tool that provides information about source water, drinking water threats, vulnerable protection areas, and the measures in place to keep our water safe.

Safe drinking water starts with you! Learn about more about simple actions you can take to protect our drinking water at barrie.ca/SourceWaterProtection.

Tree Watering Bag pick-up days on July 25 and August 1

Residents who received a new boulevard tree in 2025 or 2026 as part of the City’s replanting efforts following the 2025 ice storm can pick up a free tree watering bag to help their tree thrive. The City will distribute watering bags and instruction sheets at Sunnidale Park (265 Sunnidale Road) on Saturday, July 25 and Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Residents must provide their address to confirm eligibility and supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, while quantities last.

For more information about Barrie’s street trees and the tree watering bag program, visit barrie.ca/StreetTrees.

Barrie Transit’s MyRide: Real-time detour info during construction season

With MyRideBarrie.ca, you can look up real-time bus times, trip planning tools, route maps, and see transit notices/news. MyRide helps you plan your trip for an easier transit experience! During Barrie’s road construction season, it’s easy to see detours on the live map – a quick way to check if there are travel interruptions on your route.

Learn more at MyRideBarrie.ca.

Local businesses invited to complete the 2025 Business & Employer Data Survey 

City of Barrie staff are conducting the annual Business & Employer Data Survey through door-to-door visits in Barrie’s commercial and industrial areas. The survey helps update the City’s online business directory and informs economic development and planning efforts. Businesses can also complete the survey online at buildingbarrie.ca/BusinessDataSurvey by September 30, 2026.

For more information and to view the 2025 summary report, visit investbarrie.ca/BEDS.

Reminder: No tents or sunshades at the beach

Tents or sunshades are not permitted at waterfront beaches or parks unless they are supported by no more than one pole and have no more than one wall or side. This helps keep sightlines clear and beaches safe for everyone.

For more details, visit barrie.ca/beaches.

Barrie Arts Awards: Call for nominations 

Nominations for this year’s Arts Awards are open until Monday, August 10, 2026, 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  November 10, 2026.

To submit a nomination or learn more about the Barrie Arts Awards, visit barrie.ca/ArtsAwards.

Make sure you’re on the Voters’ List!

With Election Day set for October 26, now is the perfect time to make sure you’re on the 2026 Municipal Election voters’ list. Doing so means you’ll receive your voter information letter ahead of time, helping you cast your ballot with confidence for the offices of Mayor, Councillor, and School Board Trustee(s).

Visit registertovoteon.ca for details.

Do you have your waterfront digital parking permit?

Resident waterfront digital parking permits have been extended to December 31, 2028. A waterfront parking permit, free for Barrie residents, allows you to park for free at select waterfront locations. Each digital permit is tied to a specific licence plate, so you do not need to bring anything with you or display anything when parking in select areas along Barrie’s beautiful waterfront.

If you already have a waterfront digital parking permit, no action is required. Don’t have a permit yet? Visit barrie.ca/Waterfront Parking.

Presented by The City of Barrie