Archives 2021

Construction should begin on these Barrie bridge projects in the coming years

Remember the diverging diamond intersection planned for Mapleview Drive’s Highway 400 exit?

Don’t expect it to be built any time soon. The province has excluded funding for construction work on the Mapleview overpass from its 2017-2022 Southern Highways program, Ministry of Transportation spokesperson Katrina Lalor said.

“Improvements at the Mapleview interchange are not included,” she said. “Therefore, the ministry is not planning to begin construction within the time frame.”

The DDI concept has been implemented in jurisdictions across North America.

A DDI is designed to allow through traffic and left turns at the same time. This gives roadways the ability to handle traffic volume more efficiently while cutting down on potential collision points, when compared to a traditional intersection.

However, there is greater certainty on timelines for other bridgework projects within the city.

About 10 underpasses/overpasses in Barrie — excluding the municipality’s recently started Harvie Road bridge construction — need major upgrades. The ministry estimates roughly $78 million in bridge-related construction along the 400 through Barrie is required in the coming years.

Perhaps the most visible project currently underway is at Tiffin Street, which should be complete by fall 2019.

Once finished, the north and south lanes over Tiffin will be replaced, and the grading will be raised to improve sightlines in the area. Work on the northbound lanes should be complete later this year, Lalor said.

“It is expected the (northbound) work will be completed … with (northbound) traffic being shifted to the new lanes and (southbound) traffic being shifted to the old (northbound) lanes, allowing for bridge work and grade work to occur on the (southbound) lanes,” she said.

Meanwhile, the northbound bridge over the nearby Barrie Collingwood Railway line will also be replaced; the southbound bridge will be rehabilitated.

And the Dunlop Street bridge replacement and interchange reconstruction is scheduled to start sometime between 2019 and 2021. The detail design process should start this fall.

Ditto for the construction timeline on a similar project at Essa Road, though detail design is planned for early 2019.

“The Essa project includes bridge replacement and interchange reconstruction and is shown for delivery between 2019-21 in the latest (ministry) Southern Highways program,” Lalor said.

The bridgework was first recommended as part of the Highway 400 planning and preliminary design study unveiled in 2004. That document covers a 30-kilometre stretch of the 400 through Innisfil and Barrie, running between highways 89 and 11. 

A Freedom of Information request filed by Simcoe.com last year revealed the entire plan, stuck largely in preliminary stages of development for more than a decade, has a draft cost estimate of about $464.9 million, though that figure is subject to change and excludes property acquisition, legal fees and utility relocation expenses. The study calls for an expansion in the number of lanes — up to 10 from the current six — between 89 and Duckworth Street. One high occupancy vehicle lane would be included for each direction. Improvements would also be made to the interchanges at 89, Mapleview, Innisfil Beach and Bayfield streets.

Further details on the study are available at .

Closing driveway would drive away boat traffic: Orillia councillor

Size does matter.

At least it could if one of two driveways at the city’s boat launch parking lot is eliminated in tandem with proposed changes to .  

Vehicles hauling boats of more than 30 feet in length would be hard pressed to manoeuvre the parking lot using the sole remaining entrance/exit, councillors heard this week.

That could prove a potential blow to Orillia’s tourist trade, Coun. Rob Kloostra argued.

“In doing this we are limiting who can come down to launch their boat there with a certain size,” Kloostra said.

The waterfront parking lot currently has two driveways, with the southerly driveway serving exclusively as an entry and the northerly driveway as the exit.

Staff is recommending closing the northerly portion and widening the southerly driveway to accommodate two-way traffic.

The closure would be undertaken in conjunction with a realignment of Centennial Drive in 2021/2022.

The realigned Centennial Drive would run behind French’s stand, which would become part of the park.

Shutting the north driveway avoids grading challenges that would otherwise arise, with an extension of the north entrance required to meet the newly realigned road behind the restaurant, staff added.   

 “If the parking lot is empty, (a boat of) greater than 30 foot is no problem,” said Stan Martinello, project engineer. “But if there is other boats at the boat launch waiting to go in or out, greater than 30-foot boats start becoming an issue.”

Closing the driveway would also result in the loss of about 10 parking spaces to accommodate traffic between the lot’s “islands” and the grassed area.

“The marinas like the bigger boats, but we still have people with large boats coming down,” Kloostra said.

The committee supported a motion that the environmental study report for the environmental assessment for the Centennial Drive-area improvements project be published based on closing the northerly driveway.

Once that report is filed with the province, a review period follows with the potential for appeals from the public.

“(The province) could recommend further study or they could recommend modifications to the design solution we came up with or other things,” said Ian Sugden, director of development services and engineering.


Cody Oschefski — Midland Ward 2

Hello Midland!

My name is Cody Oschefski and I am seeking re-election in Ward 2! I am a born-and-raised Midland boy. I currently work as an electrician at ZF/TRW here in Midland.

In my four years on council, I have worked very hard to be an accessible, open and accountable councillor.

I created Floatie Fest and Jaws on the lake, created the Midland Youth Committee, co-created the downtown movies, chair the buttertart festival committee, and I have hosted several community cleanups and fundraised for very worthy causes.

I have sat on several committees, Midland Cultural Center board of directors and Boys and Girls Club board of directors for a few years, as well.

I worked hard to not only fulfil my obligations as a councillor but to also bring new things to the town and to be a great representative and cheerleader for the town of Midland.

I am a committed team player and I am hoping for a dream team to help me make some of my goals come to life, such as:

moving forward with development of Midland Bay Landing, full of public assets, a functional and accessible waterfront for all;

continuing and enhancing our amazing tourism initiatives like events and cruise ships, and upgrade the appropriate areas to better accommodate them;

further developing our partnerships with neighbouring municipalities and local groups to find synergies and efficiencies;  

enhancing Little Lake Park, discuss upgrades and re-explore a camping idea;

getting the downtown revitalization right — a beautiful functional and accessible downtown will be the heart of our town;

improve infrastructure to eliminate discharge into the bay during heavy rains;

work with the county on affordable housing, transit and other important issues;

continued economic development and fiscal responsibility;

help create a welcoming environment for small businesses, entrepreneurs and artisans.

We have moved mountains for four years, now let’s plant some seeds. Thank you for voting!

Orillia OPP seeking driver following hit and run

Police are investigating a hit and run at a business on Atherley Road in Orillia.

On July 13 at about 6:45 p.m., a vehicle entered the parking lot at the unidentified business and struck another vehicle.

A black 2017 GMC Sierra with decals on the back was captured on camera leaving the scene.

Investigators managed to view a licence plate number and know the identity of the vehicle’s owner.

Police have attempted to contact the owner; however he is avoiding police, OPP reported.

The suspect is believed to be living in the Beaverton or Brechin area.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the vehicle’s owner is encouraged to contact police, who want to speak with him regarding the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Orillia OPP can be reached at .

Simcoe North’s Dunlop takes aim at skilled trades stigma

On the night Jill Dunlop secured the win to represent Simcoe North, the daughter of Garfield Dunlop vowed to advocate for the skilled trades, just as her father had done during his years in office.

In the ensuing months, the recently minted Progressive Conservative MPP has taken up the cause at Queen’s Park with a resolution that garnered unanimous support.

“There is a major and growing shortage of skilled employees to create and/or grow businesses and industries in Ontario,” Dunlop said. “As we execute our plan to make Ontario open for business, we need skilled labour to fill the jobs that a thriving economy will generate.”

According to Dunlop, 10 per cent of Ontario’s youth are pursuing careers in the skilled trades at a time when 20 per cent of workers in that same sector are over age 54 and will retire within the decade.

In presenting her resolution to reform and promote the skilled trades, Dunlop stressed a need for immediate action to fill the trades gap.

“Skilled labour jobs are good jobs and provide a meaningful, financially stable career path for many Ontarians, including young people, newcomers and individuals looking for a career change,” she added.

Part of the challenge in steering students into the skilled trades, Dunlop said, is overcoming the negative stigma associated with the sector, “whereby people believe that skilled trades are not a career to aspire or to be proud of.

“Our youth deserve to be presented with as many career options as possible, and the skilled trades should be at the top of that list,” she added.

Dunlop recommended the government take the lead in improving education, training and job creation in the skilled-trades sector.

She is encouraging collaboration between Ontario’s education ministry, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Dunlop suggested they work toward solutions to reduce the stigma surrounding the trades and address the shortage of skilled labour.

Family, staff, Simcoe North business owners, and area mayors were on hand to support Dunlop during her recent address at Queen’s Park.

Beattie’s Distillers in Alliston makes addition to liquor lineup

Beattie’s Distillers in Alliston introduced its latest libation at an open house held June 22.

Distillery owners Ken and Liz Beattie are making history by becoming the first distillery in Canada to make gin from potatoes.

A small batch of strawberry vodka was also sold exclusively at the event.

Guests were able to sample the new products at the cocktail bar and they were also treated to free snacks and other goodies, including mashed potatoes served in martini glasses, topped with cheese, gravy and other mouth-watering fixings.

The gin will be hitting LCBO shelves very soon.

Beatties Distiller’s began selling potato vodka in April 2016, and in the fall of last year they introduced two more products, sweet-potato vodka and an Irish moonshine called Poitin.

28-year-old man dies in fatal crash on Highway 400 near Tay Township

A 28-year-old Halton Hills man died after his vehicle crashed into the southbound shoulder on Highway 400 on the evening of Aug. 5.

The Southern Georgian Bay OPP were dispatched to Highway 400 just north of Fesserton Side Road shortly after 5 p.m. on Sunday. Responding officers, along with County of Simcoe paramedics and the Tay Township Fire Department, attended the scene and located the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle.

Christopher Violo was pronounced dead at the scene.

Members of the OPP traffic collision investigation unit attended the scene to assist in the investigation into the cause of the crash, which closed southbound lanes of Highway 400 until shortly after 9:30 p.m.

An official cause of the collision has yet to be determined.


Innisfil exploring the meaning of home for Culture Days

Like Dorothy clicking her heels thinking there’s no place like home, Innisfil staff wants residents to think about shoes and home for the latest Culture Days project.

“It started in the spring with the Teen Involvement Group. We wanted to get the whole community involved in a neighbourhood project,” Innisfil IdeaLAB and library community engagement co-ordinator Kathryn Schoutsen said.

The town ended up getting multiple pairs of canvas sneakers and can hand one out to each new artist.

“The project is painting a memory of what does home mean to you,” she said. “We’ve had one person who drew the Toronto skyline because Toronto used to be home and now they’ve moved to Innisfil.”

And a pair of sisters painted their individual sneaker either pink or purple, to represent the colour of their rooms, Schoutsen added.

The sneaker project will be popping up at various community events this summer, wrapping with the nationally celebrated Culture Days Saturday, Sept. 29.

“We will be celebrating the event and will unveil a display of all the shoes,” Schoutsen said.

To participate in the program, visit a branch of the library and inquire at the front desk.

Inflatable boat, trailer stolen from Tay Township store

The Southern Georgian Bay OPP are investigating the theft of a boat and trailer from a recreational vehicle store on Highway 12 in the Township of Tay.

The boat and trailer were removed from its parked location between 6 p.m. on Aug. 11 and 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 12.

It is an 11.8-foot Gala inflatable boat with a black Tohatsu 30 HP outboard motor on a 14-foot Lode-Rite galvanized steel trailer.

The trailer did not have a licence plate at the time of the theft.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of this boat or trailer is asked to contact the OPP at or Crime Stoppers at . You can submit information online at .


An ’emotional’ return to Ramara-based leadership camp 70 years on

Alex Saunders stood before a roomful of students seated in a spacious dining hall overlooking Lake Couchiching.

Seventy years ago this month, Saunders was just like them: young, full of promise and wondering what lay ahead.

His time here, at the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre on Rama Road in Longford Mills, would prove pivotal during a life that included 26 years in the military and a stint with the Canadian Football League.

“This is a very emotional trip for me,” the 89-year-old told his audience, all of them dressed in matching blue-and-white uniforms bearing the camp’s emblem, the province’s coat of arms.

Saunders attended the first course at the leadership centre in July 1948 and returned for the 70th anniversary of the nonprofit camp that draws students in grades six through 12 from across the province.

He was there to tell his story and pass along wisdom earned over the intervening decades, which included time with the Royal Canadian Air Force and a season playing for the Ottawa Rough Riders.

“Find the things in life that you give your total commitment to, because it is never ending,” Saunders advised. “What you commit yourself to has a tendency to carry on, from day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year — you carry it on.”

Each of the camp’s 16 courses focuses on engaging and educating youth to maximize their potential as leaders, while encouraging them to become participating citizens in their schools, communities and beyond.

Courses are delivered primarily by teachers and range in interest from the arts and athletics to school governance and global issues.

“You create a safe environment for people to take risks, and, personally that’s where growth is going to happen, when people are taking risks,” said Ian DeCoste, centre manager.

Saunders, in his closing remarks, told the students that each of them has goals and aspirations, “the things that are precious to you in your lives.”

Then, he urged them to “look for what’s important, look for what touches your heart and follows those things.”

To learn more about the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre, go to .