Today the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is excited to share an update about next steps for the Barrie YMCA.

In May, we were thrilled to share that we were moving forward with the selected site for the new YMCA of 555 Bayview Drive - and that we would be launching immediately into our due diligence process at the site.

Since announcing the Bayview Drive location, the momentum continues as we work to create the safe, vibrant and welcoming centre of community that our members and community know is so important. The following five important steps are now well underway with trusted partners:

• Establishing an access agreement with the City of Barrie to conduct pre construction due diligence on the exciting new site
• Engaging Tatham and Associates Engineering as the lead consultant who are currently undergoing the site’s due diligence testing
• Securing the support of ASI Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Services to complete the phase one Archaeological Assessment of the site as well as engage the local First Nation Communities in an Indigenous Consultation and Engagement process as part of the phase one Archaeological Assessment
• Continuing to work through a land lease agreement with the City of Barrie
• Working with the architectural team of Martin Simmons Sweets on preliminary sketches for this Centre of Community in Barrie

“We are thrilled to be working through the many aspects of this phase of due diligence,” explained Jill Tettmann, CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka. “Our comprehensive site assessment has led us to this point, and now we are eager to further understand how this site will best serve our members and community, meet the needs of our partners, and steward the generous contributions of our donors and government partners.”

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is thankful to our entire community of supporters, it is because of them that exciting capital projects like this can come to life.

The Barrie YMCA will be a modern centre of community featuring best-in-class health and fitness facilities and programs, an aquatic centre, youth outreach programs and transitional housing, community meeting spaces, rehabilitation programs, and an indoor playground. Developed through extensive community engagement, this mix of programs and services is especially designed to welcome the 10,000+ Barrie and surrounding area residents who have signaled that they are eager and ready to reconnect to health, to play, and to each other.

Stay tuned for more updates as we head into the fall and continue the journey with this exciting and important project.