Barrie, ON – This afternoon, Mayor Alex Nuttall provided an update on Council’s accomplishments over the last three years. The announcement took place at the future home of the Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub. The new STEM Hub, located on the ground floor at 24 Maple Ave., is expected to open to classes starting in fall 2026. The programing will focus on Engineering and Computer science to start, with opportunities for further growth over time.
“Three years ago, Barrie needed a course correction,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “We continue to deliver this. We cut waste, protected taxpayers, accelerated housing, invested in recreation and are strengthening our downtown. We’re not just managing a city -- we are focused, delivering results and getting it done for the residents of Barrie.”
"This is an important and exciting milestone for Lakehead University and the City of Barrie,” explained Dr. Gillian Siddall, Lakehead’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “Although today marks the official start of construction on this space, the Barrie STEM Hub is more than laying bricks and mortar to build a facility for students to learn; it’s about building a better future—for the City of Barrie, County of Simcoe, and central Ontario. The STEM Hub reflects our shared commitment to meeting regional workforce needs, driving economic growth through innovation, and opening access to high-quality education so that people in this region can build a good life right here in their home communities. We look forward to welcoming our first cohort of students in fall 2026,” added Dr. Siddall.
In addition to the Lakehead construction kick-off, Mayor Nuttall also provided updates on Council’s progress three years into this term.
Strengthening the downtown
- Diverted 700+ CNCC releasees from downtown.
- Provided funding to the BIA to support safety initiatives and address street-level concerns.
- Increased dedicated police presence.
- Provided additional funding to the John Howard and Elizabeth Fry Society to assist with their family reunification programs.
- Georgian College expanding its campus and programming.
- Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub
- New Sea Cadets facility.
- New summer concert series
- Performing Arts Centre in the downtown.
- Removing all illegal drug dispensaries
Strengthening neighbourhood safety
- Added more officers on patrol, including a fully dedicated downtown team.
- Conducted major park clean-up efforts and proactive enforcement.
- Improved safety in public spaces for children, families and seniors.
- Introduced traffic-calming tools in high-risk neighbourhoods.
- Reclaimed parks, sidewalks, boulevards & trails for law-abiding residents.
Protecting affordability
- Delivered four consecutive 0% operating budget increases.
- Maintained stable, dependable service levels during high inflation.
- Protected taxpayers while strengthening core services and long-term financial stability.
Getting homes built
- Guaranteed 90-day turnaround for housing approvals.
- Added more affordable and supportive housing options.
- Delivered policy certainty for builders to get homes into the market faster.
- Ensured a balanced approach that protects neighbourhoods and expands supply.
Building stronger roads
- Launched the Pothole Patrol for faster repairs.
- Added 24-hour pothole reporting through the City mobile app and directed staff to report potholes larger than a tennis ball.
- Increased capital funding for resurfacing and reconstruction.
- Prioritized long-term infrastructure renewal for safer, more reliable roads.
- McKay Road West & Veterans Drive improvements
Expanding access to recreation
- New YMCA facility in South Barrie.
- South Barrie mixed-use recreation centre
- Performing Arts Centre in the downtown.
- Launched Camp Access, providing free camp opportunities for at-risk youth.
- New northwest satellite library branch.
Building stronger more resilient economy
- Achieved Barrie’s first AAA credit rating.
- Expanded employment land and fast-tracked job creating proposals.
- Hired more planners to accelerate reviews and improve approval-time transparency.
- Employment Development Concierge Program.
- Continued planning to unlock serviceable land for future job growth.
- Barrie’s portfolio delivered $75M in two years & retired $55.9M in debt over three years.
