Barrie’s controversial sports field is not quite a done deal, despite city council approval.
All city councillors were asked by BarrieToday, an affiliate of BradfordToday and InnisfilToday, if they would support re-discussing the May 15, 2024 council motion that supported building a synthetic turf, multi-purpose youth sports field and parade grounds on city property east of Military Heritage Park, as identified in a June 18, 2024 city news release and updated map.
“If new information came forward I would support a motion to re-discuss,” said Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl.
“As I previously made my position clear that I was not in support of a sports field at this location, I would very much welcome a motion brought forth to discuss it further — especially now that council has had further opportunity to hear from residents,” said Coun. Amy Courser.
A simple majority of council is required to revisit a motion within six months of its approval, or defeat, according to Barrie’s procedural bylaw. The sports field motion passed by a 9-2 vote May 15. Courser and Coun. Jim Harris, who represents this part of Barrie, voted against the sports field then.
Mayor Alex Nuttall answered the re-discussion question by announcing Marshall Green has met with some stakeholder groups and will be summarizing their position in a report to council to help guide its path forward, although a timeline has not been identified. But Nuttall said Green’s findings will be provided publicly to council.
A Barrie resident, Green has 49 years of experience as a lawyer with a specialty in municipal law and land-use planning. He was senior legal counsel at the County of Simcoe, retiring March 31 and signing off with the Law Society the same day.
Nuttall has said councillors have heard from several stakeholders, representing different opinions, about council’s May 15 decision to conditionally go ahead with the field.
“Additional user groups have come forward and some requests and needs have changed,” said Nuttall. “Marshall will be providing that information when it’s complete.”
Councillors said Green’s involvement could play a role in the motion being revisited.
“The mayor has asked Marshall Green to do a review of the waterfront sports park and to provide an independent assessment of the proposal. When he has completed his work, I am sure that it will come to council for discussion. We can then make further decisions at that time,” said Coun. Clare Riepma.
“I won’t speculate on what council may or may not discuss at some time in the future. Mr. Green’s findings will be additional information for us to consider. There may be other information by that time as well that may play a role.”
Coun. Craig Nixon said Green will produce a neutral study of the proposal and possible alternatives, and then report to council.
“I am not opposed to any discussions regarding the proposal. At this point, council has simply approved the request for a proper site plan with accurate renderings and to send out an RFQ (request for quote/pricing),” Nixon said.
“Until we receive these, as well as the findings of the Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Authority (LSRCA) and any Indigenous archeology studies, we are unable to reconsider until we first have the information to consider it.”
A permit is still required from the LSRCA, because its regulated area crosses the sports field’s top portion, and an archeological assessment is also needed.
General committee and city council are next scheduled to meet Aug. 14.
The field would be for soccer, rugby, football and lacrosse, and marching for the Sea Cadets/Navy League, and there could be amenities such as lighting, benches and site furnishings. It’s to measure 120 by 78 metres, an open-air facility, without a dome or stadium and for community use with a paved asphalt 35-stall parking lot.
The project is estimated to cost $4.6 million, which would come from three city reserves — development charges, tax capital and cash in lieu of parkland.
The Sea Cadets, long located near the Spirit Catcher, would move to an addition to the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre, a northerly extension to the basement of the existing building. It comes with a $4.55-million price tag. At this point, $300,000 has been committed for the addition’s plan and design. City staff will report back to councillors for future construction funding approval, once costing is refined through the design process. No funding source for the Southshore’s Sea Cadets addition has been identified by the city.
Councillors Nigussie Nigussie, Gary Harvey, Jim Harris, Sergio Morales and Bryn Hamilton, along with Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson, could not be reached for comment by BarrieToday.
