On the western shore of Lake Simcoe, in an area called Kempenfelt, the City of Barrie is best known as an active city and most often a winter destination thanks to its location and local ski resorts, including Snow Valley, Horseshoe Resort, Mount St. Louis Moonstone and Blue Mountain.
Located in Huron County but considered politically independent, Barrie was first settled at the end of the War of 1812 as a supply depot for British forces. It was named, some 20 years later, for Sir Robert Barrie who had consistently commanded forces in the area.
Today, it’s known as the gateway to cottage country thanks to its location north of Toronto that must be passed through to get to cottage country.
But it has become a destination during the summer months in its own right. With its prime location on the lake, visitors and residents alike bask on the beaches, swim, boat and partake in various other water activities.
In 2009 Barrie was designated by the Province of Ontario as an urban Growth Centre and by 2010 had even acquired some 20 square kilometres of land from the neighbouring Town of Innisfil. As the city continues to grow, so to do its communities, including:
According to the 2016 census, Barrie’s population is 145,614, a number that outpaced the national growth rate during the previous five years.
As buyers flock to Barrie to buy homes they do so with the confidence of knowing they can commute into Toronto via Highway 400, using GO Transit services, with trains and buses making the journey daily.
Within the City, Georgian College provides the opportunity to earn a college diploma or a university degree through the College’s affiliate program with Lakehead University.
Barrie’s manufacturing industry, much like its population, has flourished in recent years and is considered a centre of excellence in health care.
Thanks to vibrant arts scenes, Barrie has multiple performing arts companies, venues, events and festivals to support the arts for visitors and residents alike. And Barrie is also home to Canadian Forces Base Borden, the local military base that has the largest training wing in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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