Barrie is cancelling plans to build a synthetic field on a forested section of its waterfront after a report found the move was opposed by almost 99 per cent of respondents of a survey.
In a dramatic scene during an Oct. 10 council meeting, onlookers cheered as the elected body voted to accept the findings of a report submitted by retired lawyer Marshall Green. Among its seven recommendations, the document called for the cancellation of plans to create a synthetic field for use as a parade ground for the city’s Sea Cadets.
In May, council voted on a motion to build the field, which was also to serve as a multi-use sports field. It was supported by Mayor Alex Nuttall and eight councillors. Amy Courser of Ward 4, and Jim Harris of Ward 8 opposed the motion.
“Like a lot of people in the community, I really want to protect our natural spaces,” a jubilant Courser said after the vote. “I grew up in the east end, spending time on Johnson’s Beach looking across [Kempenfelt Bay].”
In June, councillors voted on a supplemental measure to build the parade grounds, which was to be covered in artificial turf, on a waterfront location in Allandale Station Park, just east of the Military Heritage Park.
While the proposal had not been fully costed, one city official said the final bill for the parade ground would likely have been between $1 million and $5 million. Its construction was also opposed by more than 7,000 signatories of a petition from a group called the Friends of Allandale Station Park.
Green’s report, which he wrote without charge, sought to determine whether the public was in favour of plans to create a synthetic field near Barrie’s waterfront. Its findings were based on a series of interviews as well as on a survey of public opinion held online in August.
Not only did the public opinion poll find more than 98.9 per cent of respondents opposed plans to create the synthetic field, it also found 99.4 per cent were in favour of creating a park to protect the natural features of the wooded area. This was also included as a recommendation from Green.
As part of the report, Mayor Alex Nuttall encouraged Green to speak with members of various sporting organizations in the city. “Of the five names I was given, none really wanted it. What they did want was for there to be more smaller facilities for their kids,” said Green.
Five other recommendations were also included in the report and accepted by council. Among them was that the city’s Sea Cadets move from their current location to the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre and that public school sporting facilities be made accessible to everyone outside of school hours.
“I’m relieved,” Courser added. “We’re already taking up a lot of room and, with so many people moving into our downtown core, it’s really important to protect our natural space.”
An earlier version of this piece incorrectly asserted Jim Harris withdrew his support for the construction after voting in favour of it in May 2024.
