If patience is a virtue, then Diane Chislett gets a gold medal.
The Navy League of Canada, Barrie branch president, has waited about 30 years for a new Barrie Sea Cadets facility, and on Saturday, ground was broken to make it happen.
The new $6.7 million building will be 600 square metres and located just to the northwest of the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre on Lakeshore Drive.
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The facility replaces the Sea Cadets' dilapidated home at the foot of Bayfield and Simcoe Streets.
Asked what would be different in the new building, Chislett said half-jokingly that they would have heat, hot water, and toilets.
The new facility will be a wooden-frame structure and will include classrooms, administrative offices, indoor and outdoor boat storage areas, and other amenities.
"It's a facility that we can make use of pretty much during all four seasons instead of a building with no heat. It's pretty hard to work during the fall, winter, and spring," said Chislett.
The young people learning to sail their watercraft will also have a less challenging environment than what is currently offered.
"We're right between the transient dock and the City of Barrie Marina. It's been a little bit dangerous at times, especially with the bigger boats and our boats coming in. It's hard to manoeuvre a little sailboat out of the way.
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall expects construction on the new facility will begin in a few weeks.
"I think this is a great moment, and it's a patriotic moment because these are young people that could potentially be serving our country and our Canadian Armed Forces or perhaps our Coast Guard."
