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.

The post Lakehead STEM hubs move closer to completion in downtown Barrie appeared first on CompassNews.

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.

The post Nuttall says Barrie is ready to become a defence manufacturing hub appeared first on CompassNews.

politics Archives - CompassNews

Lakehead STEM hubs move closer to completion in downtown Barrie

Nuttall says Barrie is ready to become a defence manufacturing hub