"Barrie is a perfect place to be able to work and enjoy life... if you want to talk about balance, Barrie has it all."
- Doug & Michelle Leigh, Mariposa School of Skating

Central Ontario's Premier Waterfront Community

Barrie is centrally located: Cottage country to the north and the City of Toronto to the south. With the friendliness and beauty of a small town and the amenities of a large city, Barrie has the rare advantage of enjoying the best of both worlds.

• Sail, canoe, windsurf or fish along Kempenfelt Bay
• Bike, rollerblade or take a nightly stroll along our vibrant waterfront
• Enjoy year-round festivals (with festivals taking place every weekend during the summer months)
• Unwind on a Serendipity Princess sunset cruise

Over a Decade of Blooming Excellence

• 11-year consecutive winner of the national Communities In Bloom contest
• Consecutive achievement of the top "5 Blooms" ranking in International competition
• Over 300 hectares of parkland to enjoy throughout Barrie

Breathtaking Adventures at your Doorstep (Greater Barrie Area)

Summer

• Treetop trekking
• Off-road adventures
• Hot air balloon rides
• Sky-diving
• Hiking and cycling trails
• Golfing
• Theatre by the Bay
• Talk is Free Theatre

Winter

• Snowmobiling
• Skiing and snowboarding
• Snowshoeing
• Barrie Colts OHL hockey and ice shows
• Dog sledding
• Ice fishing

Year-Round Attractions

• Barrie Molson Centre (OHL hockey,concerts, shows)
• Georgian Theatre
• MacLaren Art Centre: monthly exhibits and free admission
• Barrie Film Festival
• Huronia Symphony
• Base Borden Military Museum
• Simcoe County Museum
• Georgian Downs: harness racing
• Hardwood Hills Ski and Bike
• Downtown Theatre

Please visit Tourism Barrie at www.tourismbarrie.com for more details.

Steadfast Dedication to Service

The provision of essential services including waste collection, snow removal and public transit has not been disrupted in the past 25 years and counting. The City's steadfast dedication to service excellence ensures an exceptional quality of life enjoyed by all its residents. Barrie achieved Level 1 Certification for the National Quality Institute in the fall of 2008.

Expanding Health Care

Located in Barrie, the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) serves not only Barrie residents, but patients from Simcoe County, Muskoka and Parry Sound.

• $400 million expansion is underway to double the current hospital size including the new Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Care Centre by 2012
• Over 200 skilled physicians, 1,800 staff members and 1,100 dedicated volunteers currently on staff
• Specializations include: Cancer Care, Surgical Services, Critical Care, Mental Health Rehabilitation Services, Women and Children's Programs

Advancing Post-Secondary Education

Over 8,000 full-time students are enrolled in diploma and degree programs through the University Partnership Centre at Georgian College in Barrie. A number of exciting initiatives are underway:

• $65 million expansion is underway for a new Centre for Health and Wellness, to accommodate over 3,000 additional students in diploma and degree programs by 2011
• New Laurentian MBA program 
• $1.6 million funding received for upgrading equipment