The vision for a theatre/performing arts centre within the downtown has been longstanding. The City’s 2006 Cultural Master Plan recommended the downtown as a logical, creative and natural home for the arts.
Project Updates
June 24, 2025
A schematic design for the proposed Performing Arts Centre, as outlined in Appendix A of Staff Report FAC005-25 will be used to guide the project through the Design Development phase. Staff will report back to General Committee following Council’s 2025 summer recess with the outcomes of the 50% Design Development phase, including a Class C Cost Estimate for the proposed Performing Arts Centre.
Design Considerations
The schematic design and accompanying Rough Order of Magnitude Cost Estimate have been developed based on the following key program elements:
- Approximately 45,000 sq. ft. facility, including both large and small performance venues. • Space for 1000 person standing
- Movable floor gala system within the performance hall to accommodate 1000 people standing
- Restaurant: 50–75 seat restaurant with ability to function independently to ensure space is active all of the time.
- 600-seat proscenium performance hall, including feasibility assessment and costing of a flexible flat-floor system.
- Multipurpose rehearsal, event, and flexible performance space accommodating 200 to 250 people.
- Lobby and patron services areas.
- Tenant restaurant and kitchen facilities.
- Backstage, production, and building support areas.
- Exterior features, including main entrance, drop-off areas, loading zones, and a terrace
Background
As outlined in Staff Report ACC001-24, a report was prepared by Mr. Marshall Green to
gather information and feedback from a range of stakeholder groups and organizations to
help inform the vision for the waterfront and downtown area. On August 14, 2024, Mr.
Green provided his report titled The Southshore, Barrie Sports, and a Revitalized
Downtown. The report included a series of strategic recommendations related to the Barrie waterfront. Recommendation #6 specifically proposed that the former Sea Cadets site, along with the necessary surrounding City-owned lands, be designated as the location for Barrie’s new Performing Arts Centre. Council subsequently provided the following staff direction under motion 24-G-223:
- Retain HPA be to complete a schematic design for a new Performing Arts Centre at the current Sea Cadets site at an estimated cost of $200,000, and that the design be prepared with the following considerations:
- An approximately 45,000 sq. ft facility that includes both larger (600 seat)
and smaller (250 seat) performance spaces
- The facility be designed with a maximum total building cost of $65M in hard
and soft construction costs for the building itself including fit out of all seating
and audio-visual components
- An approximately 45,000 sq. ft facility that includes both larger (600 seat)
- That staff undertake the required site due diligence (including but not limited to
geotechnical investigations) to determine the feasibility of utilizing the current
Sea Cadets site and any required surrounding City lands for a new Performing
Arts Centre, up to a maximum cost of $375,000 - That staff report back to General Committee with the results of the due diligence
work and schematic design as well as the estimated required site works and a
potential implementation plan
