Sports Fields Allocation Policy

Guidelines for the allocation and management of all sports fields under the ownership and operation of the City of Barrie.

Last Updated
2023
Category
Parks, Recreation, & Culture

The City of Barrie has been identified as a growth centre within the provincial document “Places to Grow – Simcoe Area: A Strategic Vision for Growth”. As a result, the City of Barrie is projected to experience significant population growth and change.

With our increasingly diverse demographics and growing demand for existing sports fields, municipal Council and staff are committed to the effective management, allocation, and distribution of sports field time within our municipally-owned facilities.

The Sports Fields Allocation Policy serves as a guide for the sports field allocation process. It will guide all sports field allocations outside Council approved agreements.

The goal of this policy is to promote and encourage participation in field sports and activities to the overall benefit of the community. The policy establishes guidelines for the allocation and management of all sports fields under the ownership and operation of the City of Barrie. This includes the annual allocation of seasonal rental permits, School Board permits, tournaments, special events and single use rental requests.

The sports field allocation policy establishes and clarifies the City’s responsibility for sports field allocation, administration, and its commitment to the management of:

  1. Fiscally responsible sports field facility operations.
  2. Fair and equitable sports field allocation.
  3. Consideration of the needs of Barrie residents before residents of other communities.
  4. Facilitate scheduling that will support proper and sufficient maintenance and repair of sports fields, thereby facilitating long term quality and health of the sports fields.
  5. Processing of tournament, special event and seasonal sports field permits.
  6. Balance the needs of permit holders, casual participants and the City as a whole.
  7. Ensure the City’s sports fields are used for the benefit of the entire community.
  8. Enhancement of the quality of life for all citizens.
  9. Safe and accessible services to all.

Sections of this policy may not apply at this time to organizations which have established separate agreements with the City of Barrie approved by Council defining their annual sports field allocation (i.e., Barrie Baycats)