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PROJECT UPDATES

May 24, 2023

YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka announces new site selection for Barrie YMCA

YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka announced today that it has selected 555 Bayview Drive in Barrie as the potential location for the new Barrie YMCA. This announcement follows 10 months of extensive site assessments and more than 10 potential locations to seek out the best available location to provide the YMCA with the opportunity to create the safe, vibrant and welcoming community centre that has been in the works for so long.

“The YMCA community’s confidence in and commitment to a new Barrie facility has never been higher,” explained Jill Tettmann, CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka. “This process was about finding the best available site to serve our members and community, to meet the needs of our partners, and to best steward the generous contributions of our donors and government partners – because our community of supporters is what allows the YMCA to bring exciting capital projects like this to life.”

This modern community centre will feature 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. It’s the right mix of programs and services, developed through extensive community engagement, to meet the needs of Barrie and the surrounding area for another 100 years.

“The City of Barrie looks forward to everything that the new YMCA facility will bring to our growing city, said Mayor Nuttall. “The immense community effort to support the YMCA in finding the best suited location is proof that the residents of Barrie will be thrilled to see this project finally come to fruition. The YMCA and the City of Barrie share the common goal: to ensure Barrie is a safe and welcoming city with ample opportunities of success for all the citizens of Barrie. We’re excited to see what the future holds for the Barrie YMCA.”

This is an exciting time for the Barrie YMCA project as it generates new momentum for the next phase of the project and we wouldn’t be here without the deep trust and support from donors, funders, partners, members and staff. We are incredibly appreciative of this support and will continue to honour that trust as we make each decision to bring the Barrie YMCA to life.

The next step in the process towards building the Barrie YMCA is working on a shared vision for the site location with the City of Barrie and an extensive due diligence process at the site, which involves developing a new site plan, negotiating the land lease with the City of Barrie, reviewing the site’s physical and environmental conditions, and more.

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is a charity commited to building a healthy community for all.

YMCA Mission:A community-building charity that connects people to each other and to experiences designed to build health and strength, skills and confidence, and opportunities for exploration and growth.
YMCA Vision:Vibrant and connected communities where everyone belongs.
YMCA Values:Kindness, Integrity, Inclusiveness, Respect, Optimism

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