Green Light for Barrie’s New Waterfront Performing Arts Centre, and No New Rules for Backyard Units

Barrie’s Waterfront Set to Host New Performing Arts Centre

Just before breaking for the summer, Barrie City Council gave unanimous approval to move forward with the design and costing of a new Performing Arts Centre—an exciting cultural development for the city. The 45,000-square-foot facility will be located near the iconic Spirit Catcher and is set to include a 600-seat theatre, studio and rehearsal spaces, and convention facilities. The estimated cost: $65 million.

At the heart of the effort is the Barrie Arts Alliance, a collective of 22 local arts organizations, led by Administrator Chuck Ruttan. The group has played a pivotal role in championing the project and gathering input from across the city’s creative community.

In an interview with Simcoe Community Media, Ruttan shared his enthusiasm. “The current places, like the Georgian College theatre, are getting very long in the tooth,” he said. “They don’t have the excellent acoustic properties that a brand new, up-to-date performing arts centre would offer.”

The Alliance includes a wide range of groups—from choirs and concert bands to the MacLaren Art Gallery and Barrie’s orchestra—each bringing their unique artistic voices and energy to the initiative. The goal is not only to create a state-of-the-art venue but also to foster collaboration and increase access to high-quality arts programming in Barrie.

City Rejects Proposal to License Additional Residential Units

Meanwhile, Barrie’s Community Safety Committee has voted down a motion to explore licensing Additional Residential Units (ARUs)—a move that had been proposed by the Town and Gown Committee.

The Town and Gown Committee, chaired by Ward 1 Councillor Clare Riepma, had passed a motion requesting Development Services staff to research how other municipalities regulate ARUs. These units, often secondary suites or backyard dwellings, are increasingly seen as part of the solution to local housing needs.

However, Deputy Mayor Robert Thompson and Councillor Sergio Morales opposed the motion, calling it ineffective and out of step with current safety and staffing realities. Morales, who chairs the Community Safety Committee, lives in north Barrie but represents Ward 9 in the city’s south end.

The councillors raised several concerns:

• The proposal does not address long-standing issues, such as absentee landlords, student overcrowding, and illegal rooming houses.

• ARUs are typically newer builds that already meet modern building and fire codes.

• The motion's focus on ARUs may be misplaced, as the more pressing issue is the broader state of student housing.

Wards 1 and 2—Barrie’s oldest neighbourhoods—are home to many large-lot properties and have been seen as ideal areas for expanding ARU development. But for now, the city's approach to housing density and safety will remain unchanged.