On August 14, 2024, Marshall Green provided a report to Barrie City Council, The Southshore, Barrie Sports and a Revitalized Downtown. Mr. Green was asked to gather information about the parade ground and multi-use sports field and report back to Council with feedback from various stakeholder groups/organizations and to summarize their position to help guide the waterfront and downtown vision.
At the request of Council, Mayor Alex Nuttall issued Mayoral Direction on August 15, directing staff to pause further work on Council motion 24-G-111 (Sea Cadets Parade Ground & Multi-Use Sports Field) to allow for public consultation.
Public consultation opportunities included an online survey, which was open until September 25 and an in-person drop-in session on September 24. All feedback was provided to Council in a staff report on October 9, 2024.
Background on Council Motion 24-G-111
On May 15, 2024, Barrie City Council approved a motion to build a Sea Cadets parade ground and youth multi-use sports field in Allandale Station Park, east of Military Heritage Park. A refined location was announced on June 18, 2024.
A new Sea Cadets parade ground for parade ground events and multi-use field offers opportunities for enhanced use of the waterfront for residents, visitors, and for event planning by the City and the community. Approval of this motion supports Council's Strategic Priority of Thriving Communities: creating and fostering programs and opportunities to support community wellness; and expanding and maximizing access to parks and recreation opportunities in the city.
The project includes a 600m² addition to the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre to accommodate the Sea Cadets. The Sea Cadets have long been located near the Spirit Catcher and finding another location for safety reasons for them has been before Barrie City Council for many years. This move will ensure the Cadets have a suitable location on the waterfront to ensure the safety of children and youth participating in their programs. It also aligns with Barre’s Waterfront Strategic Plan, which was updated in 2023.
Key Amenities & Features
This project will be open for public use and enjoyment. The proposed parade grounds address the need of the Sea Cadets for this space in an economical way.
The open air, uncovered multi-use sports field will be used as the parading ground and will be for community use to support youth sport growth and development within the city limits. Possible key features of the sports field will include:
- Approximately 120m x 78m multi-use field with artificial turf, which will accommodate soccer, rugby, football and lacrosse (actual size will be confirmed throughout the detailed design process). Artificial turf extends the playing season and the field will be used for the Sea Cadets parading.
- player and spectator seating
- a digital scoreboard
- a water bottle filling station
- a paved asphalt 35-stall parking lot
Design considerations including natural buffers wherever possible or fencing will be part of the consultation. Since existing washroom amenities are available at the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre nearby, washroom facilities are not included in the proposal. These washrooms have potable water, are open all year round, and are accessible.
Ecological Considerations
The impact on the environment will be studied in Allandale Station Park and the regulatory requirements will be met, including archaeological assessment, Barrie’s Ecological Offsetting Policy, and Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) permits. A permit may be required from LSRCA because its regulated area crosses the sports field’s top portion. City staff have already initiated the consultation with the LSRCA.
The City will be increasing the biodiversity on the site as per the Waterfront Strategic Plan.
Vegetation removals will be replanted on both sides of the new field funded through ecological offsetting fees to maintain a net-zero ecological balance on site. The Waterfront Heritage Trail would continue uninterrupted along the north edge of the field, and the Kempenfelt Bay shoreline would remain undisturbed. Connections to the Military Heritage Park will be enhanced.
The City’s 2023 Waterfront Strategic Plan includes several recommendations to protect the existing remnant woodlot in Allandale Station Park. Development in this location would proceed under the Council-approved Ecological Offsetting Policy to replant all proposed tree and vegetation removals in the area adjacent to the project. Council has also previously committed to planting 1,000 trees along the waterfront.
Project Schedule
| Phase | Timing |
|---|---|
| Pre-design work | Summer 2024 |
| Project tender | Summer/early fall 2024 |
| Engagement | Fall 2024 |
| Design | Fall 2024/January 2025 |
| Construction | Late fall 2024 to fall 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo Credit: Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps #53 Barrie