The sports field saga took another turn on Thursday when Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall for the first time used his strong mayor powers to pause work on the multi-purpose sports field and sea cadets parade ground on Lakeshore Drive.
The decision was taken to allow for public consultation to occur and be presented back to council later this fall, according to a media release from the City of Barrie.
"In light of new information provided in Mr. Green's report and an exciting opportunity that emerged in early July, the city is actively working with a global entity on a promising venture that could significantly enhance the future of sports tourism in Barrie. While negotiations are still ongoing, I can confirm that this opportunity aligns perfectly with council's Strategic Plan and vision for the city's downtown core," the mayor stated.
The move by the mayor comes after Marshall Green, handpicked by Nuttall in June to study the sports field issue, released a series of recommendations on Monday that called on the city not to go ahead with the multi-use sports field.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- That the site to be offered to the Sea Cadets for their parade ground be at that location and of the size shown and that it have a suitable hard surface as might be recommended by that group.
- That the city not approve the multi-use sports park on that site, nor at all.
- That the city encourage representatives of the various sports organizations to meet cooperatively, with the assistance of city recreation staff, to organize the proper and most efficient use of the existing fields on city lands; that the city make a priority in any future subdivision "park dedications" that land be set aside for minor sports; and that the city recreation staff meet with school board officials to ensure that school sports fields are made fully available to minor sports organizations.
- That the city develop the current wooded area and meadow on the south shore as a passive park that protects existing wildlife and with trail systems that are accessible; that the park also include an educational component; that citizen groups and service clubs in the city be engaged with the city's parks department to develop the park; and that the lands ultimately designated for this part of the park be zoned "environmental protection."
- That the Barrie Baycats be approached to move from their existing home at the Midhurst Sports Park and that the city work with the Barrie Baycats to reconfigure and renovate Queen's Park to accommodate the team.
- That the former Sea Cadets site and required surrounding city lands become the site of Barrie's new performing arts centre.
- That subject to council coming to a satisfactory formal agreement with the new entity, that the city-owned lands that are part of the former Barrie Central Collegiate property be made available for a soccer stadium to become the new home of the Simcoe County Rovers soccer team.
In May, city council voted 9-2 in favour of a synthetic turf sports field that was also to be used as a parade ground for the Barrie Sea Cadets (BSC) to be located east of Military Heritage Park on Lakeshore Drive. Couns. Jim Harris and Amy Courser voted against its approval.
The waterfront location prompted an outcry from various groups and individuals who felt there was a lack of public consultation about the proposed site, while others said the sports field would gut a naturalized area and woodlot.
Other groups, in particular those involved in organized sports, have said the city lacks adequate playing surfaces and they were generally in favour of the sports field plan.
The Barrie Sea Cadets (BSC) are currently located in an aging facility in the area of Simcoe and Bayfield Streets by the transient docks, which in his report, Green called a "prime piece of real estate." Council's decision in May approved a plan to move the cadets to the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre (SCC) with an addition to the lower half of the building at a cost of $4.55 million.
In the report, Green recommends the parade ground be located just to the west of the SCC.
"I wanted to add that it was a preference of the Sea Cadets group that this parade ground not be limited to that, but that at such times it is not being used by them, that perhaps some sports groups, or even individuals, could use the site for basketball, pickleball, etc." the report stated.
The report also teased "a very big announcement" that will come in a few weeks regarding the Simcoe County Rovers, which currently plays home games at J.C. Massie Field at Georgian College.
"It will be a game-changing announcement that means our city will have its only full professional sports team," according to Green's report. "Terms of the deal are being finalized between Rovers FC and the purchaser, a large global sports and entertainment enterprise."
The report indicated that an announcement is expected in early September, with the team beginning play in March 2026, just prior to the FIFA World Cup hosted in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The Rovers' men's and women's teams currently play in League1 Ontario, and have three reserve teams playing in League2 Ontario.
To that end, Green indicated in his report the club is looking to build a 2,500 seat stadium at the former Barrie Central Collegiate property downtown, in the area of Dunlop Street West and Bradford Street.
Green said during his various meetings with sports groups and opponents of the waterfront sports field, the mayor asked him to consider what could be done with the Sea Cadets property once it is vacated.
Green recommended the property be considered for a performing arts centre.
"Before I started to investigate this matter, the mayor advised me that the $100 million price tag for a 1,000 seat facility, complete with a host of other auxiliary facilities was not going to happen in the near (or even not-so-near) future," the report said. "Like many other municipalities, Barrie is facing a cash crisis."
Green said if the performing arts community's wish for a building they could be satisfied with and proud to perform in was going to be a reality, dreams had to be scaled down. The report indicated the mayor and several councillors met with the architects and suggested a budget of $65 million.
At city council general committee on Wednesday night, Nuttall thanked Green for volunteering over the last number of weeks and compiling his report.
"He's an incredibly gifted person when it comes to writing and working through all the competing interests that were certainly being voiced, and being able to articulate it in the way he did."
