One of Barrie's biggest and most ambitious developments is officially on the horizon.
Local dignitaries gathered on Wednesday afternoon to unveil the sign marking the eventual location of a roughly 4,100 sq. metre performing arts centre on Simcoe Street.
The future cultural hub being touted as what will be the "No. 1 people place" in Barrie and a project that will bring the city—downtown specifically—an economic boost.
"It's going to transform our waterfront," Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall touted at Wednesday's event.
Based on recommendations from consultant Marshall Green, the facility will be built on the current Sea Cadets building site adjacent to the city's transient marina.
The Sea Cadets are expected to be moved into their new home near the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre in the fall, which will be followed by the demolition of their current site. Construction on the new Sea Cadets facility will begin in the coming weeks.
City staff say that a groundbreaking for the performing arts centre is expected to happen in early 2027, with its opening expected in mid-2029.
"The city is not a city unless you also encompass the arts and culture community," Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MP Doug Shipley said before referencing the Barrie Colts' 2026 Eastern Conference championship's galvanization of the local sports community.
"That was a great time to show community spirit," he added. "We need a facility like this to now bring [the arts and culture] community together, and showcase what we have here."
Toronto-based firm Hariri Pontarini Architects has been responsible for the design of the $85 million facility, with up to nearly 500 sq. metres of additional program space being incorporated (costing no more than $5 million). As of the last update to city council in January, the project had reached the 50% design development stage.
Founding partner Siamak Hariri, who has worked with City officials on the plans, described the project as "collaboratory," saying that local artists outlining their desire for a space to experiment with musical and theatrical arts inspired the process.
He also said that the design purposefully pays homage to the railroading history along the shore of Kempenfelt Bay.
"It is going to be an arc which follows the (original) railway," Hariri said. "It has a form which very intentionally gives a nod to the very beginnings of those wonderful forms that existed on the waterfront."
"We hope it's a bit like Alice in Wonderland where you go through the cupboard and you see one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the country."
Their plans include a 600-seat performance hall, a 200-seat rehearsal and events studio, a restaurant, gala seating system, and other supporting amenities.
