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
May 21, 2026
The project team is finalizing the design development phase, including updates to incorporate up to an additional 5,000 sq. ft. rehearsal hall as requested by Council. Updated cost estimates are being prepared in advance of progressing to the construction documents phase.
In parallel, the project team continues to advance the site plan and supporting technical requirements for both the site plan approval and building permit applications, with submissions anticipated in 2026.
Staff expect to demolish the existing Sea Cadets structure this fall, once the Sea Cadets boating season ends and to begin early site preparation activities before winter. Hard construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 and is forecast to continue to mid-summer 2029, at which time final interior fit-out work, testing and system commissioning will begin. The facility’s target opening is expected to be in fall 2029. These timelines remain subject to weather conditions and will be further refined following the award of the construction contract.
Design Considerations
The proposed facility includes:
- A 600-seat performance hall
- A 200–25-seat rehearsal and events studio
- All supporting amenities (lobby, backstage, production spaces)
- A restaurant to activate the waterfront and generate additional revenue
- A gala seating system
- Up to 5,000 square feet of additional program space to be incorporated into the design
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 (see file #C4 240814). 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
