It’s a long name for an ambitious project to improve city operations.
Barrie’s operations centre redevelopment and new south satellite yard development is well underway, but with a long ways to go.
The phased redevelopment of 165 Ferndale Dr. N., the 50-year-old R.A. Archer Operations Centre, could eventually result in the construction, relocation and demolition of the structures there, with plans stretching until 2032.
“Torn down and replaced is sort of the plan, but it’s subject to council approval and budget approval,” said Dave Friary, Barrie’s director of operations.
“What they’re doing right now is putting in a new sand storage facility (and a) new greenhouse, too,” he said, noting the fenced area in front is to be staff parking and a landscaped buffer from the road.
“The greenhouse is going out front, a little closer to the road and a little farther south,” said Friary, explaining it’s not going on the existing greenhouse site. “The sand storage shed is way in the back yard, just off Edgehill (Drive), next to the salt storage shed.”
The operations centre requires major redevelopment to replace obsolete infrastructure, maximize operational efficiencies and support expanded roads, park, fleet and traffic operations for the Hewitt and Salem land, which will see significant residential development down the road.
The city is searching for a satellite site in Barrie’s Salem area, as Ferndale would still be the main location for operations. Equipment such as sidewalk plows and materials could also be stored at Salem to cut down on travel time.
“One of the biggest challenges we have is for some of our larger mowing equipment and sidewalk machines,” Friary said. “You’ve wasted 45 minutes driving across town before you can even start cutting grass. Logistically, it should help us out a lot more.”
As for 165 Ferndale, time has literally caught up with it.
Built in 1972, it has no handicapped washrooms, no elevator to the second floor, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is a half-century old, the generator needs replacing, the roof is in need of work... The list goes on.
“How far do you go in the upkeep before it’s more economic and efficient to tear it down?” Friary asked.
With the first phase of changes will also come a friendlier 165 Ferndale.
“Our hope is to have a little bit nicer greenhouse, a bit more energy-efficient and possibly we could get back to doing those tours we used to do with school groups, so making it a little bit more accessible,” Friary said.
This redevelopment project would also identify and implement necessary changes to support not only current but anticipated future needs of Barrie’s public operations, including roads maintenance and winter controls, and operations for parks, traffic, fleet, rail, stormwater and solid waste management.
