City of Barrie: 1)Barrie faces growing infrastructure funding gap as assets age: report; 2)Shovels hit the ground for $6.7M Barrie Sea Cadets facility; 3)CFB Borden honoured in Barrie with historic Freedom of the City Parade and Ceremony

1)Barrie faces growing infrastructure funding gap as assets age: report

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Julius Hern, May 14, 2026

A growing gap between infrastructure needs and available funding is putting long-term pressure on Barrie’s asset management system, according to an annual review by city staff.

The report, presented to the city’s infrastructure and community investment committee on Wednesday, says 83 per cent of Barrie’s nearly $11.8 billion in municipal assets are in fair or better condition.

Another 11 per cent are considered to be in poor or very poor condition, while the condition of about six per cent is unknown.

Staff say that while assets in poorer condition do not always require immediate replacement, they carry higher risk of failure and typically require increased maintenance as they approach the end of their service life.

Overall, the review found that infrastructure renewal needs continue to outpace available funding, requiring increasing prioritization of projects and services over time.

Staff estimate the city would need to invest approximately $308 million annually to support infrastructure renewal, growth and service improvements, including $111.8 million for aging assets alone.

By comparison, current annual capital investment sits at roughly $200 million, leaving a gap of about $108 million.

“When there’s insufficient funding, then there’s work that will not get done,” said Scott Drewette, presenting on behalf of the city’s asset management department. “While there’s no getting around that reality, the city does have the ability to monitor risks and implement contingency plans to minimize the impact of aging infrastructure.”

The gap is being driven by several compounding pressures, including rising construction costs, continued growth, and an expanding asset base.

Inflation has had a significant impact on public infrastructure projects. The report notes a nearly 60 per cent increase in cumulative construction cost impacts since 2019, reducing the purchasing power of municipal capital budgets.

Growth is also adding pressure to the system. In recent years, the city has approved an average of three to four kilometres of new roads annually, along with associated water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure required to service new development.

The city is also taking on additional assets through boundary expansion agreements with the Townships of Springwater and Oro-Medonte, which will require further funding once they are fully integrated into long-term planning.

At the same time, aging infrastructure continues to drive rising renewal needs, as more assets approach or exceed their expected service life.

Together, these factors are increasing long-term strain on the city’s capital planning system.

“We can’t do everything at once,” Drewette said. “Different choices about how we invest will lead to different outcomes over time. That could mean maintaining current service levels, prioritizing core infrastructure assets, or allowing gradual changes in some areas depending on how funding is allocated.”

He said the city needs to prioritize spending based on risk, noting that critical assets would receive additional attention due to their high operational impact.

Some asset categories are under greater pressure than others. For example, vehicles in the city’s fleet like snow plows and fire trucks, are defined as critical pieces because of their high impact.

“I don’t know if it’s for me to say what drives them to become top of the list instead of bottom of the list; but the reality is, if you have existing infrastructure that needs attention urgently, then building new infrastructure becomes less of a priority,” Drewette said.

The fleet category of the city’s assets notably has over 25 per cent described as very poor, the most among any category in the report.

Drewette said while the city continues to advance its asset management program, any decisions by council will influence service level changes in the future. He warned that councillors will need to be deliberate and informed when making choices regarding infrastructure investment and prioritization.

The committee approved the 2026 asset management annual review following the presentation.

2)Shovels hit the ground for $6.7M Barrie Sea Cadets facility

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, May 9, 2026

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.

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.”

3)CFB Borden honoured in Barrie with historic Freedom of the City Parade and Ceremony

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, May 9, 2026

Canadian Forces Base Borden personnel marching in Barrie’s Freedom of the City Parade along Collier Street during 110th anniversary ceremony.

A strong wind rattled up Collier Street in Barrie Saturday afternoon, as dignitaries and the public gathered for the Freedom of the City Parade and Ceremony.

The event was held to honour Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden’s 110th anniversary.

“Freedom of the City is one of the oldest civic traditions, inviting a military organization to march through the city with ‘”‘drums beating, colours flying'”‘ as a symbol of the community’s trust, respect, and appreciation,” the City of Barrie said in a news release.

Participants included Colonel Melissa Ramessar, Base Commander, Canadian Forces Base Borden and Military Personnel Generation Training Group, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, and Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston.