The ground is broken and the excitement is building. Meridian Place construction is on target and downtown Barrie will have a great new look this time next year.
While construction crews have been hard at work for the last few weeks, the official groundbreaking at Memorial Square was yesterday and was attended by many local politicians, sponsors from the Kiwanis Club, Meridian and those who have helped contribute in any way to what Mayor Jeff Lehman describes as possibly the city’s biggest undertaking, even comparing the square to those more famous such as Times Square in New York and Yonge-Dundas Square In Toronto.
“We have had many huge tasks to oversee as a council and a city in general, but this is one that could be our biggest,” said Lehman. “The fact that we are completely upgrading and redesigning the heart and centre of the town is monumental. It is a very big deal and for me especially as growing up here I too have many memories of the old Memorial Square. But this is exciting and we’re all looking forward to the completion.”
The completion is set for the spring of 2018 which is on right on target for all involved despite a hiccup recently involving funding; but that was ironed out according to the Chair of the Downtown Barrie Business Association Wayne Hay.
“This has happened relatively quickly despite a slight delay,” said Hay. “The delay was only over pricing but we got through that and got started June 1 after couple weeks to get the machines here, but those folks are working very hard to make this happen and it will right on time.”
Right on time means despite the construction happening during Canada Day this year, many other big events won’t be affected. The very well-attended Remembrance Day ceremony will be observed in its new location at the heart of the new centre.
“Remembrance Day will be held on Dunlop at the cenotaph in its new location,” said Hay. “The cenotaph will be picked up, respectably and honourably, and set in a spot where if you’re looking down Owen Street you will see it perfectly. It will also feature the Vimy Ridge soil patriation of which we are very honoured to be doing.”
Meridian Place will have many attractive design features to make sure any events and functions go well for those using the space. The Wildfire Peacock Stage band shell featuring top quality audio/visual items and a 360 degree view will be constructed to host concerts while the connection to the famed Barrie waterfront will be evident with what Hay is hoping will be some fun water-features.
“We were looking to do something special here and more or less looking for a home run for downtown,” said Hay. “We put our minds together and felt like putting our efforts into one big project that can be beneficial to the city and particularly the heavily trafficked downtown core. We’re hoping the water-features are in as they are a little expensive, but we have a great team with the city and the sponsors who all came together to make it overall happen and we’re very thankful for that.”
James Ecker is with Meridian Credit Union, from which the area gets its name, and says that after the idea was discussed as it should be within a company, the excitement grew and it became a no-brainer for the credit union.
“One of the primary thoughts at Meridian is to help the lives of Ontarians grow at the local level,” said Ecker. “This project fit very well with our opportunity to invest in the community and help the resilient and vibrant city that Barrie has become. Of course this is a big investment so we had to go through the due diligence beforehand but once it was decided to get involved, everyone was and is so excited.”
One of the higher profile team members is proud Barrie native Glenn Coulson. Coulson is currently helping the BIA with the project as the Capital Campaign Coordinator to make sure the campaign runs smoothly and that goals were achieved in fundraising. The former singer/songwriter and music producer is proud to be involved with the project for reasons other than business.
“I am so very proud of my hometown and carry the flag if you will, of Barrie everywhere I go,” said Coulson. “I was born at the old Royal Victoria and raised here as well and I love the changes we’re going through; I always refer to what Barrie is doing as growing up. We’re able to do these things because of who we are as a city and the people here are always so giving. Listen, we’re a big city now and need a place for all the great events we do that can accommodate the hundreds of thousands of visitors and eventual goal of a million a year. At the same time, for some we’re still a small town and that square isn’t about the huge events, but rather the nice coffee stops, or ice cream dates; we’re a city with everything and will now have a square to signify that.”
To follow the progress of Meridian Place/Memorial Square, check out the website
