The City of Barrie is planting new roots in its environmental and beautification efforts with the official opening of a modern greenhouse.
Located at Barrie’s operations centre at 165 Ferndale Drive North, the 14,000 square foot greenhouse was unveiled during a ceremony attended by Mayor Alex Nuttall, Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl, and representatives from Communities in Bloom.
Communities in Bloom is a national non-profit dedicated to promoting civic pride and green space enhancement.
Nuttall said the $4.5 million greenhouse represents a major investment in the city’s environmental initiatives and long-term sustainability efforts.
“Barrie unveils its new state-of-the-art greenhouse — an investment in innovation and sustainability, and a step forward for the future of our growing city,” he said.
“This modern facility reflects our commitment to environmental efficiency, city beautification, and homegrown community pride.”
The new greenhouse will support Barrie’s horticultural programs by growing plants for parks, boulevards, and public spaces.
Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl said the new greenhouse will not only save the city more than $1 million annually, but it also incorporates several elements that support sustainability.
“It will save us over $1 million annually simply by allowing us to overwinter plant products that can then be replanted in the spring,” she said.
“There are many sustainable features in the design — we have solar capabilities, the potential to incorporate an electric boiler, and we’re already seeing significant water capture. Since operations began, we’ve repurposed 23,000 litres of water used in greenhouse irrigation. That water has been reused by our forestry, parks, and horticulture departments to irrigate city trees, sod, and flowers.”
Operated by the city’s horticultural staff, the new greenhouse will support Barrie’s participation in the annual Communities in Bloom competition and help beautify public spaces.
The facility includes climate-controlled zones with automated heating, ventilation, irrigation, and solar shading. Eco-friendly features such as LED lighting, a solar shade system, and water reuse technology are also built in.
