Latest news with #BrynHamilton
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Barrie council backs $375M south-end multi-use complex after some tweaks to the plan
A sign for the future home of the south Barrie mixed-use Recreation Complex and Library. Barrie city councillors took another step forward with plans for a $375 million south-end recreation and library complex at Wednesday night's meeting, but not without making a few tweaks first. While most of the changes were modest, a few stood out, particularly a decision to scale back the size of the library component. The facility, which will eventually be built on a 100-acre site along McKay Road East, is being described by councillors as a game-changer for the city's fast-growing south-end. The centre will include a quad-pad arena, an eight-lane 25-metre swimming pool, therapy pools, a triple gymnasium, a fitness centre, and multi-purpose rooms. 'I just wanted to emphasize how well received this has been in south-end Barrie," said Councillor Bryn Hamilton during the meeting. Library Space One of the more notable amendments saw the planned library space reduced from 45,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet. Council also directed staff to explore shared-use options for certain amenities, like washrooms, rather than constructing separate facilities for rec centre workers. Councillor Sergio Morales said the reduction wasn't a statement on the importance of library services overall. 'Just because we're reducing here specifically, it's not indicative of library need in general.' Sports Hall of Fame Another amendment will establish a permanent space inside the complex for Barrie's Sports Hall of Fame, currently housed at the Sadlon Arena. Councillor Gary Harvey supported the move, saying it would have more exposure at the new site. 'It's going to have a lot more foot traffic than what the Sadlon [Arena] will ever see.' Housing Development Council also gave the green light to a related housing development in the south end, rezoning a property near Essa Road and Mapleview Drive to allow for 458 street and block townhouse units, with an additional 66 optional dwellings for future purchasers. The revised proposal was given council's stamp of approval after a troubled first pitch. 'The first application was basically creating a small city within one stretch of about 25-acres,' said Harvey. 'Thankfully, a new applicant came in, but I think this is going to be a very positive addition to the area, opposed to having an empty field or a driving range at this location.' The recreational complex and all its amenities were passed by council, with construction still years away.
CTV News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Arousing discussion at city hall: Barrie council weighing on burlesque as ‘adult entertainment'
Barrie city councillors are reconsidering how 'burlesque dancing' is treated under the city's Adult Entertainment Bylaw. A move that could separate it from other forms of adult entertainment. At Wednesday's committee meeting, Barrie councillors discussed the motion related to the bylaw established in 2005. The proposal involved dissecting how other municipalities have distinguished burlesque from other forms of adult entertainment, like stripping. The idea to push this forward was sparked from a local burlesque group that was recently prevented from holding a performance due to how the current bylaw is written. While the bylaw does not specifically mention burlesque, it defines Adult Entertainment Establishment – Class B as: 'Any venue offering entertainment that is designed to arouse or result in an erotic or sexual response' - language which has tied burlesque into the same stigma associated with more explicit forms of adult entertainment. During the meeting, Bryn Hamilton, Ward 10 councillor, expressed concern about the focus of the discussion. 'I read this, and I will say that I was a little taken aback as to why this was something we were discussing,' said Hamilton. 'I revisited the committee's terms of reference and objective just to understand the driving reason behind this.' Ward 4 councillor Amy Courser emphasized the importance of updating the 20-year-old bylaw to distinguish burlesque from other forms of adult entertainment. 'There is a distinct difference between burlesque and stripping. The style is completely different. Burlesque is vintage, playful, artistic. It's absolutely a celebration of the woman's body,' Courser said. 'Many municipalities have already modernized the language of their bylaws.' This raised the question if adult-themed performances should remain under the same regulations. Clare Riepma, Ward 1 councillor, addressed the bylaw's language, noting how burlesque is accepted as a legitimate art form in many municipalities. 'Apparently burlesque is a form of art and there is quite an arts community that is very supportive of this,' said Riepma. 'They would like to operate here in Barrie.' Jason Forgave, supervisor of enforcement services, noted that the local studio which regularly performs burlesque in public with ticketed events encountered issues due to the bylaw's language. 'The bylaw doesn't mention burlesque, but it does talk to the nature of the act and the reaction from the crowd,' Forgave said. 'That's where our interpretation and enforcement has come from.' Courser proposed modernizing the bylaw and reflecting on the evolving understanding of what 'adult entertainment' means to the City of Barrie. Council was in favor of this decision and the motion will be passed to the Finance and Responsible Governance Committee.
