barrie Archives - CompassNews

Skateboard Association kickflips into giving back to community

Stephen J. Donkers — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:44:23 +0000

For Corey Henderson, skateboarding has always been more than a sport.

It’s a source of confidence, resilience and community – values he hopes to pass on through the Barrie Skateboard Association (BSA).

Founded in 2023 as a not-for-profit organization, the BSA advocates for local skateboarders and works to expand opportunities for youth in Barrie. Henderson, the group’s president, said it was formed after members recognized a lack of investment in skateboarding infrastructure.

“We looked around and realized that very little had changed for skateboarders in Barrie in the last 25 years,” he said.

“The idea came from the original BSA that was formed in the late ’90s.”

Through those similar efforts decades ago, the skatepark at Queen’s Park in downtown Barrie was built.

One of the association’s main goals is creating a year-round indoor skateboarding facility that would also serve as a youth community hub. They have been looking at a location in Barrie’s north end as a starting point.

“We want a place where kids can come, skate, learn and connect,” Henderson said.

“There is a shortage of safe, all-access skate spots in Barrie.”

The association has focused on growing the local skateboarding community through free skate programs at Queen’s Park. The sessions provide equipment, instruction and mentorship for beginners.

Henderson said skateboarding can help young people build perseverance and self-confidence.

“Risky play is an important part of learning how to skateboard,” he said.

“It helps kids develop confidence, problem-solving skills and resilience.”

The volunteer-led organization includes vice-president Ian McIntyre, secretary-treasurer Renee Henderson, multimedia specialist Scott McIntyre and director of community engagement Dan Bokma. Henderson says Bokma helps to keep the local skateboarding scene alive through free youth programming.

The association has also worked with the city to add skate features at Queen’s Park and host events on city property. Recently, members took part in a Cundles Heights community night, which Henderson said was a success and introduced more families to skateboarding.

Coming this summer, the group will host skateboarding events July 1 on Dunlop Street near Five Points Theatre, July 12 at Meridian Place and Aug. 15 during Troubadour Festival activities downtown. Free skate sessions will also run every Sunday morning at Queen’s Park.

Henderson said the mission remains focused on creating opportunities for young people and building something future generations can carry forward.

“Our goal has never been to run this forever,” he said.

“We want to build something sustainable and hand it off to the next generation. That’s how you build a community that lasts.”

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Defence manufacturing could bring thousands of jobs to Barrie, says Nuttall

Stephen J. Donkers — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:27:37 +0000

Mayor Alex Nuttall is optimistic about Barrie’s economic future.

Speaking with Compass News, Nuttall said the city is well-positioned to become a major player in Canada’s growing defence manufacturing sector — a move he believes could create thousands of local jobs.

“The opportunity is massive. It’s amazing stuff,” he said.

“We’re talking about thousands of jobs. There is nothing but opportunity for Barrie.”

On May 28, Nuttall joined Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CANSEC) tradeshow in Ottawa.

At the event, Nuttall announced Barrie is moving ahead with initiatives aimed at attracting defence-sector investment and accelerating development opportunities.

Nuttall said Barrie has several advantages over competing municipalities, including its proximity to Canadian Forces Base Borden, available infrastructure capacity and a growing supply of employment land.

The city’s recent annexation of 1,673 hectares from the townships of Oro-Medonte and Springwater has significantly expanded the amount of land available for industrial and employment uses. The city intends to use 558 hectares for such purposes.

“We now have the land to accommodate major employers and large-scale manufacturing operations,” he said.

“That’s something many municipalities simply don’t have. We’re very aggressive about finding opportunities and bringing them here.”

Nuttall also pointed to Barrie’s growing education and innovation ecosystem as a key selling point.

“When you bring together business, government, education and innovation partners, it creates a very strong case for companies to invest here,” he said.

Local organizations have already given support to the initiative, including the business community, city council and military partners, Nuttall said.

“We’ve seen a lot of support from the Chamber of Commerce, strong support from council, and we’ve built great relationships with Base Borden and the military community,” he said.

Nuttall said Georgian College’s designation as a military-connected institution further strengthens Barrie’s ties to Canada’s defence sector. Beyond the economic benefits, Nuttall said strengthening Canada’s domestic manufacturing capacity is also a matter of national security.

“Canadian sovereignty is always top of mind. Anything we can do to ensure Canada can develop and produce what it needs domestically is incredibly important.”

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Residents push back against major Barrie south development proposal

Stephen J. Donkers — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:24:30 +0000

How tall is too tall?

A proposed high-density development on Essa Road is facing strong opposition from area residents, who argue the project is too large for the surrounding neighbourhood.

During a June 3 meeting of Barrie’s Affordability Committee, several residents raised concerns about a proposal for 550-576 Essa Rd., near Mapleton Avenue. The area is primarily made up of low-density subdivisions, a commercial plaza and an eight-storey residential building currently under construction.

The proposal includes two residential towers of 16 and 18 storeys, six townhouse blocks, 806 residential units and 660 parking spaces.

Eric Brathwaite of MHBC Planning presented the application to councillors, city staff and residents. Ten residents spoke against the proposal during the meeting.

Nancy Tuckett, who lives near the site, said she supports residential intensification but believes the scale of the project is inappropriate for the neighbourhood.

“The height of 16 and 18 storeys on a site that’s 4.63 acres, with a proposal of 806 units at an FSI of 2.49, is extreme – it’s far too high,” she said.

Tuckett suggested developments of that scale would be more appropriate in Barrie’s downtown core or along the Highway 400 corridor.

Marian Wilkins, who has lived in the area for nearly 30 years, also questioned whether the towers would fit into the existing community.

“The proposal of 16 and 18 storeys just won’t look good in this neighbourhood,” she said.

Mark Chimiski, who lives directly across from the site, said privacy is his primary concern.

“The prospect of a multi-storey building with direct sight lines into our living space, I find deeply troubling,” he said.

Nicole Murphy, whose property backs onto the development site, expressed concerns about increased traffic along the corridor.

“The traffic issue is significant. This is not even taking into account that further south on Essa Road there are more buildings coming,” she said.

Coun. Gary Harvey, who represents the area, noted that Mayor Alex Nuttall has consistently advocated for directing the city’s tallest and densest developments to specific areas.

“It’s important to highlight that on several occasions throughout this term, the mayor has been quite clear when it comes to development – that high-density developments need to be in the downtown, near transit hubs and near Highway 400,” Harvey said.

“I don’t see this meeting any of those check boxes.”

Council has not made a decision on the proposal yet. City staff will report back later with a recommendation after reviewing the application.

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Lakehead STEM hubs move closer to completion in downtown Barrie

Stephen J. Donkers — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:50:13 +0000

Progress continues on Lakehead University’s future STEM hubs in downtown Barrie.

The City of Barrie says interior construction at the 24 Maple Ave. site is nearing completion, while work at 5 Ross St. is advancing steadily.

At Maple Avenue, interior construction is reaching completion, with millwork, vestibule framing and window installations in progress. Mechanical and electrical systems are being commissioned, while lab equipment and furniture continue to arrive ahead of the hub’s opening. The city says exterior work should continue through the summer.

Whereas on Ross Street, demolition work is complete and framing for new classroom entrances and interior partitions is nearly finished. Mechanical and electrical rough-ins continue as crews carry out additional installation and coordination work throughout the building.

In April, Mayor Alex Nuttall toured the locations and talked about the progress so far.

“This isn’t just about a university improving the private sector, improving the way the government and education and business work together,” he said. “It’s also about our young people having access to education in an affordable way and one that’s going to put them onto that path of hope and opportunity.”

In late 2024, the City of Barrie and Lakehead University announced plans to establish a STEM hub in the former Barrie Transit Terminal at 24 Maple Ave. This past winter, they officially added a second hub location at 5 Ross St. to their plans.

The Maple Avenue hub will house specialized teaching and research labs focused on robotics, motors, instrumentation, machines and mechatronics. The Ross Street hub will feature flexible classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, student services, social areas and graduate student offices.

The two hubs are slated to open this fall and will accommodate more than 700 students over their first five years.

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Nuttall says Barrie is ready to become a defence manufacturing hub

Stephen J. Donkers — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:01:25 +0000

Defence manufacturing could become Barrie’s next economic frontier.

Mayor Alex Nuttall says Barrie is positioning itself to become a hub for defence and advanced manufacturing as both federal and provincial governments increase military and security spending.

Speaking at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries’ CANSEC trade show in Ottawa, Nuttall announced that the city is moving ahead with measures aimed at attracting defence-sector investment and accelerating development opportunities.

The conference brings together leaders in the defence, aerospace, security and advanced manufacturing sectors. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe also attended the announcement.

Nuttall’s recent ideas include proposed zoning changes to accommodate defence-related industries, financial incentives through the city’s Employment Development Community Improvement Plan and a new concierge model intended to speed up development approvals.

With $50 million earmarked for incentives, Nuttall said Barrie is well-positioned for industrial growth.

“Barrie’s geography is matched by capability – Barrie is the easy button for companies looking to invest, to expand and to grow,” he said.

Nuttall highlighted the city’s proximity to Canadian Forces Base Borden in neighbouring Essa Township, available employment lands and investments in post-secondary education as key advantages in attracting new industry.

“We offer shovel-ready, serviced employment lands and a single point of contact through our CAO,” he said. “Our focus is to make Barrie a greater security hub and make it easier for companies in Barrie to expand, grow and, more importantly, facilitate readiness for action.”

Nuttall noted that Barrie has invested in engineering, as well as skilled trades training through Georgian College and Lakehead University to help build a workforce for the defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The city also announced a $2.5-million investment over two years to support defence-focused education programs at Georgian College’s Barrie campus.

Ford said Ontario is preparing to capitalize on rising defence spending amid global instability and growing economic protectionism.

“We need to step up to defend ourselves, protect our workers and our businesses, and to pull our weight in the global alliances that keep us secure,” he said.

“We’re protecting Ontario from economic uncertainty driven by tariffs and protectionism. We’re protecting Ontario from the threats to our national and global security.”

The province said the proposed 10-year strategy could create as many as 43,000 jobs, add $6 billion annually to Ontario’s economy and generate more than $400 million in yearly provincial tax revenue by 2035.

According to the province, Ontario’s defence sector currently comprises more than 300 companies employing over 13,000 workers and contributing upwards of $5 billion annually to the economy.

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Barrie pushes future job growth as unemployment rate rises

Stephen J. Donkers — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:34:15 +0000

Unemployment may be high now, but city leaders are hoping future job growth will bring that number down.

Barrie was tied for the highest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities in April, according to new labour force data released by Statistics Canada.

The city’s unemployment rate climbed to 9.2 per cent in April, up from 8.5 per cent in March. Barrie recorded an estimated 13,200 unemployed residents, while overall employment dipped slightly.

Across Canada, the unemployment rate rose to 6.9 per cent in April, as more people searched for work.

Despite the latest numbers, Mayor Alex Nuttall expressed optimism, saying the city is positioning itself for long-term employment growth through new industrial and employment lands.

“We’ve been clear from day one that Barrie needs jobs. For too long, too many residents have been stuck on the highway commuting to work,” he said.

On Jan. 1, 2026, Barrie officially annexed 1,216 hectares from Springwater Township and 457 hectares from Oro-Medonte Township, for a total of 1,673 hectares.

In December 2025, the provincial government passed Bill 76, the Barrie–Oro-Medonte– Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025.

The city intends for the new lands to help accommodate as many as 8,000 new homes while also unlocking new infrastructure and employment lands.

“Through Bill 76, the city has new employment lands that will be transformational for Barrie’s future, and I want to thank Premier Doug Ford and the provincial government for recognizing the importance of creating jobs in growing communities like ours,” Nuttall said.

Nuttall added that he expects the lands to make the city more attractive to business in the coming years.

“These lands will help attract major employers, industrial investment, and thousands of new jobs to Barrie,” he said.

“Council has pushed hard to ensure we are ready to compete for investment, because when companies are looking to expand, we want them choosing Barrie. This is about creating opportunity – better jobs, shorter commutes and a stronger local economy where residents can live and work right here in the City of Barrie.”

Other Ontario cities posting high unemployment rates included London, Windsor, Oshawa and Toronto.

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More affordable housing planned for Barrie

Stephen J. Donkers — Mon, 25 May 2026 17:25:48 +0000

Another 69 affordable housing units are coming to Barrie.

Mayor Alex Nuttall announced on May 21 that two new apartment rental developments will bring a total of 341 rental units to the city.

A 12-storey apartment building at 53 Coulter St. will mean 188 units, including 38 affordable units. Another development – an eight-storey apartment building at 375 Yonge St. – will add 153 units, including 31 affordable units.

Nuttall, who made the announcement at the Coulter Street site, said improving housing affordability remains a top priority for the city.

“Across our community and across the province, we continue to hear from residents who are struggling to find housing that fits their budget,” he said.

“That’s why we’re increasing supply and improving affordability, and it remains one of the city’s top priorities.”

Nuttall said council will continue working to bring more affordable housing options to Barrie.

“Our focus remains on ensuring we’re building the housing people need in the places where growth is already happening, while maintaining the viability required to actually deliver these projects,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it’s about results. More housing means more affordability and steady progress toward a stronger, more affordable Barrie.”

The projects are part of Barrie’s development charge waiver program, which temporarily reduces fees for developers building affordable housing. The program began earlier this year and applications close this spring.

Sam Di Pasquale of YYZed Project Management, which is overseeing the developments, praised the city’s approach.

“The city has taken a practical, solutions-focused approach that helps keep projects moving instead of getting stalled in process,” he said.

“In today’s environment, that collaboration matters.”

Earlier in May, the city announced another affordable housing project in Barrie’s north end at 52 Lakeside Ter. The 12-storey apartment building will include 185 market-rent units and 46 affordable units.

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Progress made on encampments since Barrie declared state of emergency

Stephen J. Donkers — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:30:13 +0000

The homeless encampment along Mulcaster Street in front of the local courthouse and the Busby Centre in downtown Barrie has been dismantled following Mayor Alex Nuttall’s state of emergency declaration on Sept. 9.

Cleanup crews and police were on site Sept. 11 after notices of action were issued the day before.

Nuttall said 36 of 44 people living at the encampment have accepted local support services. He emphasized the state of emergency as the right move to address growing safety concerns.

“It’s important that we acted, and we acted in the way that we have because we take this very seriously – we are really trying to focus on moving forward out of this emergency,” he said.

The mayor pointed to recent violence and health hazards as justification, citing a double homicide where dismembered body parts were found, high E. coli readings leaking into Kempenfelt Bay from Dyments Creek, multiple fires, and weapons and drugs discovered in tents.

“These are signs that we are in an emergency,” he said.

Nuttall cautioned that eliminating all encampments across the city will take time.

“It will take months to do this correctly,” he said.

“There are quite a lot of people living homeless here, so this will take some time to work through – day by day, person by person.”

He added that people seeking support will continue to have access to mental health care, addiction treatment, housing programs and employment assistance.

“You will see progression across the city and we will ensure no encampments are left and that folks who need more help will get it,” Nuttall said.

The mayor said the response since the declaration has been positive so far.

“People have been waiting for the help to be given to individuals who need it, but they’ve also been waiting for order to be restored on the streets of our city,” he said.

“It’s something that requires a lot of work, coordination and resources. The goal is to keep our city a place where the community feels safe and strong.”

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Barrie police docket: week of May 5

Sarah MacFarlane — Thu, 08 May 2025 16:40:04 +0000

Bike patrol catches wanted people

A proactive bike patrol resulted in two arrests after an officer was informed that two people were loitering near a business on Collier Street.

Police learned that both people were wanted by the Barrie Police Service on outstanding arrest warrants, the individuals, a male and female, were taken into custody and both found to be in possession of fentanyl.

The male, 36, was also found to be in possession of cocaine and female, 28, was found to be in possession of suspected heroin.

Both are facing charges and the female was found to be breaching a court-imposed release order.

Investigation continues into May 6 assault

Barrie Police are continuing the investigation into an assault that was reported just before 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Police responded to the report of a woman who had been assaulted by an unknown individual while walking on the sidewalk.

The suspect is described as a white male in his early 20s, approximately 6” tall, and police are asking for anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Unit.

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Barrie Public Library seeks community input on proposed northwest branch

Stephen J. Donkers — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 21:57:36 +0000

The Barrie Public Library is plotting its next chapter by inviting the community to give
feedback for the new proposed branch in the city’s northwest Letitia Heights area.

Residents are being encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions by completing a
survey. The survey asks residents to share how they currently use library services and
asks them to rank the services, programs, and collections they would like to see
featured in the new branch.

Barrie Public Library CEO Lauren Jessop said she and other library officials are looking
forward to hearing from residents.

“We’re very excited to start planning for a new location,” she said.

“When planning a new facility, it is very important to hear from residents. While many of
the services we offer across locations are similar, we can curate collections and plan for
programs, etc. that are unique to this community.”

She noted that she’s encouraged by the strong response from residents so far.

“After only a couple of days, we already have over 400 responses. We haven’t analyzed
the data yet, but residents seem to be excited about the prospect of a new location in
their neighbourhood.”

The library has partnered with Botree Inc., an Oro-Medonte based organization that is
helping to prepare, distribute, and analyze the survey, while also supporting the
facilitation of group discussions with residents.

Jessop said she is especially hopeful to hear more from the city’s youth.

“While we want to hear from everyone, with over 5,000 youth in ward 5 alone, we are
really hoping to hear from youth voices,” she said.

“We have engaged with local schools, through principals and school librarians, and we
are planning to put information about the survey in daycares, doctor’s offices, places
like that.”

In late 2024, Barrie city council tasked the library with creating a business case for the
northwest branch. In early 2025, council approved funding for planning, including
design, community input, and a demographic study for 26,000 residents.

The library is collaborating with the city’s facilities department to secure a location and
handle engineering and design. The branch will offer literacy support, programs, Wi-Fi,
computers, and community space, modelled after the Holly boutique library in Barrie’s
southwest end.

Residents have until June 16, 2025, to share feedback and win prizes. The online
survey can be found at barrielibrary.ca or paper copies at any library location.

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