The city’s sports history is almost certainly on the move.
Tom Ewles, chairperson of the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame, says the hunt for a larger facility is moving forward.
The question is where, how and when.
“There’s lots of things we’re talking about, but it really comes down to the city has to determine where and what we’re going to need to do, and what the hall should look like in the future … so we can get some plans,” Ewles said. “The future one is probably going to be a lot different than the present one.”
Since 1985, the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame has been an integral part of Allandale Recreation Centre, using 275 linear feet of wall space there, including more than 95 wall portraits, seven display cabinets up the ramp, and three more in the upper lobby.
“Who would have thought 38 years later you’ve outgrown it, you’ve used up all that potential wall space,” Ewles said.
He said there’s no news on a temporary home for the hall, or a new permanent one, but the fall session of Barrie city council could change that.
On council’s agenda again is looking at an expansion of Sadlon Arena, the new YMCA location, future south-end community/recreation centres, and a sports tourism strategy, along with a future performing arts centre, all of which could include a new hall.
Barrie Sports Hall of Fame officials also expect to make a presentation to council.
Ewles said hall officials have been checking to see what other municipalities are doing with their sports halls of fame.
Where a new one goes in Barrie needs to be an open area with access, and perhaps interactive for young visitors.
“I’m almost thinking it has to be a hybrid — the old, the new, a little bit of display, inter-activity,” Ewles said. “I know this is far-fetched, but even if it was linked up with the other community centres, through digitization, on your website, leading back to your base home.
“So at least you’re going to get exposure to a lot more people," he added.
Ewles said he can probably make the Allandale Recreation Centre work for another three or four years, but then needs an answer from the city about what kind of space it can allocate to the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.
Several factors are in play.
Earlier this year, Barrie councillors heard a presentation about expanding and upgrading Sadlon Arena that includes six options, ranging in price from $12.3 million to $43.5 million, and increasing seating from 4,200 now and adding 580 to 1,210 more.
In August 2021, Barrie councillors looked at resizing Sadlon Arena. At the time, the expansion would have possibly included a new home for the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.
But the new council, elected last October, has made no decisions on expanding and upgrading Sadlon Arena, and whether that would include a new home for the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.
In late May, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka announced it was looking at 555 Bayview Dr., the north parking lot near Sadlon Arena, as the location of its new facilities. A new site plan and land lease, negotiated with the city, including size and exact location, are still required. A new Barrie Sports Hall of Fame could possibly be part of the Y’s plans.
There are other possible locations for a new Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.
The Salem recreation centre, for example, is to be built 2029-31 on the south side of McKay Road West, between Veterans’ Drive and County Road 27.
At last look, the Hewitts community centre was to be financed and built between 2023 and 2026, and Allandale Recreation Centre itself was to be renovated and expanded by the end of this decade.
These community centre projects, however, are part of the city’s capital budget, which is a 10-year document which is adjusted annually in terms of financing and construction.
Ewles said he hopes to get some answers from the city within a few years on where the hall would be located and how it would work.
But current events should keep the hall in the public’s eye.
Aug. 30 has been proclaimed Bobbie Rosenfeld Day in Barrie. Rosenfeld (1904-1969), a member of the first-ever Canadian women’s Olympic team, was among the first inductees into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame in 1985, along with Red Storey and Hap Emms.
Theatre by the Bay has an upcoming production of Bobbie, written by local playwright Trudee Romanek and directed by Lynn Weintraub. Bobbie will play Aug. 30 until Sept. 10 at Five Points Theatre, located at 1 Dunlop St. W., in downtown Barrie.
On the horizon is the hall’s Oct. 4 induction ceremony, 7 p.m. at the Allandale Recreation Centre. There will be four new inductees, along with the Athlete of the Year, Crawley Award and Unsung Hero Award handed out.
Other matters are also afoot for the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.
It can now accept e-transfers for membership fees and donations, is awaiting its charitable registration number and is revising its website at a cost of more than $4,500, Ewles said.
For more information visit: bshof.ca.
