These projects implemented two recognition features in Military Heritage Park to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
Project Updates
June 20, 2024
Today, the City of Barrie, in partnership with the RCAF and Trees for Life, celebrated the completion of the two roundel projects along the waterfront.
RCAF Floral Roundel Project
Project 1 is a RCAF roundel represented by annual flowers. The RCAF Floral Roundel is planted in blue and red annual flowers separated by a white decorative landscape rock to convey the colours of the RCAF Roundel emblem.
Over 3,000 annual flowers were grown from seed in the City’s greenhouse to ensure sufficient plants for the installation and for any replacements needed over the continuous display season. On June 7, 2024, City horticultural staff installed the new roundel, filling the 4.6 metre-wide floral maple leaf with red begonias (Begonia fibrous ‘semperflorens’) and the outer roundel border with blue saliva (Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria Blue’).
The approximately 10-metre diameter floral roundel is located on the north face of the turf mound to permit viewing from the air, from the adjacent walkway and from Kempenfelt Bay.
Rohmer Roundel: RCAF Paverstone Roundel Project
On September 16, 2024, the City announced the naming of the community space at the paverstone roundel as the Rohmer Roundel, in honour of Major-General Richard Rohmer.
Project 2 is a permanent landscape feature located on the far eastern border of the Military Heritage Park on the existing stone dust pathway. The project was developed in partnership with Trees For Life, which coordinated the donation of plant material through funding from Veterans Affairs Canada and the generous donation of the paverstone material by Unilock. The design for the paverstone roundel was kindly donated by Brydges Landscape Architecture Inc.
Visitors may walk over the approximately 10-metre diameter paverstone roundel featuring a central paverstone maple leaf bordered by 100 Bayberry shrubs. Thirteen Red Maple trees (Acer rubrum) were planted in a grove on the east side of the roundel to represent the 13 provinces and territories of Canada. The 100 Bayberry shrubs symbolize the RCAF Centennial. All trees and shrubs were planted with the help of local 102 Barrie Silver Fox Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
The design includes six donated custom benches made from reclaimed wood from former Canadian Forces Base Rivers, a former No. 1 Air Navigation School in Manitoba. The bench design references aviation and incorporates actual reclaimed airplane parts for legs, including motors, pistons and propeller parts. The backrests are made of gently curved aluminum to represent airplane wings. The City wishes to gratefully acknowledge the Lepp Family; Cassandra Lepp, Stefanie Lepp and John Lepp, for providing these unique benches with the help of Johnny Nort, Shaun Paterson, Justin Black, Bill Clar, Morningstar Metal Aluminum, Fastenal Stainless Bolts, Finish Master Finishes, Springland Manufacturing Wood and Trailer and Shop Space.






Background
On October 4, 2023, City Council adopted a motion regarding Waterfront Strategic Plan Update: “That staff in the Operations and Development Services Departments be directed to consult with representatives from the Royal Canadian Air Force/Canadian Armed Forces and interested community groups to develop a plan to design and construct a feature to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force prior to June 1st, 2024 and report back to General Committee with the recommended location within or near to the Military Heritage Park and the details of the project scope, capital cost, and cost-sharing agreement, between the City, Trees For Life, and the Royal Canadian Air Force prior to the end of January 2024.“
Staff reported back to Council on February 7, 2024. Read the Staff Report.