This project involves a new 600 square metre standalone facility for the Sea Cadets, relocated to the northwest side of the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre. This new building will provide a modern and functional space for the Sea Cadets' operations, including indoor and outdoor boat storage, training and administrative spaces, and universal washrooms.
Project Update
October 27, 2025
As of September 2025, the project is in the design development phase.
Facility Features
The new facility will feature:
- A wood-framed structure with scissor trusses to accommodate mast clearance for sailboats
- Indoor and outdoor boat storage areas
- Administrative offices and training rooms
- Universal, barrier-free washrooms
- An accessible path to the water
Background
The relocation of the Sea Cadets has been a long-term strategic goal for the City of Barrie, aiming to enhance waterfront accessibility and safety while providing the Sea Cadets with a more suitable facility.
Public consultation was conducted to gather feedback on the relocation, with a 2024 public survey revealing 72.8% of residents were in favour of moving the Sea Cadets to a new location at the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre. During the planning process, City staff consulted with key stakeholders, including the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and existing tenants of the community centre to gather input on program requirements.
Initial concepts considered an addition on the north side of the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre, but this location was determined to be too disruptive to the operations of existing tenants and created significant safety and access concerns. After thorough evaluation and cost analysis, this led staff to explore two revised options as detailed in Staff Report FAC006-25:
- Option A: A standalone building for the Sea Cadets (approved option)
- Option B: An addition to the west side of the existing General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre
Project Timeline
| September 2025 | Council approved the recommendation from Staff Report FAC006-25 to proceed with Option A, a 600-square-metre standalone facility with total project funding of $6,728,145. The project entered the design development phase. |
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| May 2024 | City Council endorsed Option B - Southshore Community Centre Addition in principle, based on Staff Report FAC003-24, to guide additional planning and design of the community centre addition. |
| October 2023 | City Council adopted Motion 23-G-206, directing staff to develop a plan to relocate the Sea Cadets to a new building east of Military Heritage Park with a parade ground and multi-use outdoor space. |