Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Barrie is looking for feedback from residents and stakeholders before deciding whether to build a waterfront multipurpose sports field after an Aug. 14 report, Southshore, Barrie Sports and a Revitalized Downtown, rejected a proposed multi-use sports field and parade ground on city-owned land east of Military Heritage Park.
The synthetic-turf youth sports field was to be for soccer, football, lacrosse and rugby, the parade ground for Barrie Sea Cadets/Navy League.
However, the consultant’s report concluded the sports field should not be built on the waterfront site that was approved by council earlier this year.
In response to the report’s recommendations, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall directed city staff to pause further work on council’s decision to go ahead with the sports field and parade ground, to allow for public consultation to take place and be presented to council later this fall.
Mayor Alex Nuttall issued mayoral direction on Aug. 15 to the CAO and staff to halt the project and hold public consultation.
In addition to an online survey, an in-person drop-in consultation with planning staff will take place Sept. 24 from 4 to 8 p.m.at the General John Hayter Southshore Centre.
All feedback will be provided to Council in a report on Oct. 9, 2024.
According to the report presented by Marshall Green, a former municipal lawyer who advised on land use planning, the area east of Military Heritage Park is simply the wrong place for the synthetic turf.
“I recommend they (council) not approve the multi-use sports field at this site,” Green said as he presented his report at a council meeting “I don’t think what they are looking for is a multi-sport park at all.”
Instead, he identified seven unused soccer fields and eight unused baseball diamonds in Barrie that may help fill the need for more sports spaces.
“I am convinced that there is a need for additional space for amateur sports, but until and unless these groups come together, this will be difficult to co-ordinate,” he said in his report.
Opponents have collected more than 7,700 signatures on a petition urging council to reverse its approval and scrap the waterfront development plan.
“In addition to disrupting local ecosystems, such developments often lead to increased traffic congestion and noise pollution in surrounding residential areas (Source: Environmental Impact Studies on Urban Development),” the petition states. “We must protect Allandale Station Park from becoming another casualty in our rush towards urban development.
“We urge city officials to reconsider their plans for construction in this area. Find another location! Save our waterfront trees and habitat.”
A simple majority of council is required to revisit, reconsider or defeat a motion within six months of its approval.