New YMCA facility breaks ground in south Barrie

Ceremonial shovels went into the ground Friday morning marking the start of construction on Barrie’s brand-new YMCA, a moment nearly 20 years in the making.

The new facility will feature 70,000 square feet of space for fitness and aquatics among other community programming, and is expected to serve nearly 10,000 people.

“It’s more than a building. It’s more than a gymnasium. It’s more than a fitness centre,” said Jill Tettmann, YMCA president and CEO. “It’s a place for people to come and get a sense of belonging. It’s a place for people to come and be connected. It’s a place for newcomers to come and feel welcome.”

The facility will also have a youth transitional housing facility that can accommodate up to 14 people a night, as well as space for cardiac and cancer rehabilitation services.

The final price tag will be nearly $70 million, with funding coming from all forms of government.

“The transitional housing that’s going to happen in this project is key to us in Simcoe County with helping those poor youth that have stumbled,” said Basil Clarke, warden of Simcoe County. “They just need that hand up as we build up our communities and move them forward. This is a critical part of our rapid re-housing program.”

Alex Nuttall, Barrie mayor, says a new and bigger YMCA location is key to its success.

“In November of 2022 our population was sitting at 146,000 people in Barrie. Today we are at 166,000 people. By the end of next year it will be 175,000 people,” said Nuttall. “When the YMCA opens, we will be over 175,000 people, [and] 100,000 of those people will be living in south Barrie.”

The YMCA says it will continue to fundraise locally for the money to cover the remainder of the cost, turning to residents to help as best as they can.

Officials say construction of the new facility is expected to begin in the next couple of months, with a completion date set for the end of the summer in 2027.