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2025 has been a landmark year for the 100 Reasons Y Capital Campaign, a year defined by momentum, community strength, and a shared belief in what the new YMCA in Barrie will mean for our future. Together, we’ve celebrated major milestones, built new partnerships, gathered community voices, and taken meaningful steps toward bringing this Centre of Community to life.
This is more than a construction project. It’s a collective effort to rebuild a space where everyone in Barrie can connect, grow, and find belonging.
From breaking ground to building trust, the past year has brought remarkable progress. Here’s a look at the milestones that shaped our year:
In March, more than 150 community members joined us as shovels finally hit the ground at the future home of the new YMCA in Barrie. This unforgettable moment included remarks from the YMCA CEO, City of Barrie leadership, Simcoe County officials, and local Members of Parliament, each expressing the transformative role this new facility will play.
Following the groundbreaking, our fantastic 535 Bayview Construction Partners made the most of the Spring & Summer construction seasons, making way for renewed community engagement as we were able to walk the site and finally see the new Centre of Community from Beyond the Blueprints.
In this time, we have heard 100's of Y stories that shine a light on the true power and impact of the Y.
These stories continue to help us guide the project forward and amongst those incredible stories, we were so excited to share and celebrate Honourary 100 Reasons Y Capital Campaign Chair, former Mayor of Barrie, and dedicated philanthropist, Janice Laking.
On June 24, the community came together at 535 Bayview Drive for Beyond the Blueprints – Honouring Janice Laking, recognizing her remarkable legacy and decades of dedication to building a stronger, more connected Barrie.
On November 19, we celebrated a major construction milestone: the installation of the final steel beams. Joined by Stephen Schroeter, representing the Schroeter family and Napoleon, we signed the beams destined to form the future state-of-the-art gymnasium — a moment that symbolized community roots being built into the structure itself.
Soon, these beams will support the spaces where:
Barrie is growing faster than its community spaces can support. As more families, newcomers, and seniors call this city home, the need for places that foster health, connection, and belonging is rising sharply.
Across Simcoe/Muskoka, the YMCA supports 17,700+ people each year through health, wellness, and community programs — from cancer and cardiac rehabilitation to youth development and newcomer supports. Demand has increased by nearly 50%, while waitlists continue to grow.
In our Barrie community:
The new YMCA in Barrie is designed to meet these realities, creating a place where people of all ages and stages can belong, stay well, and thrive close to home.
This isn’t just a building. It’s a Centre of Belonging for a city projected to grow to 300,000 people by 2051 — and a lasting investment in the well-being of our entire region through the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka.
While full construction updates will continue throughout 2026, here’s a quick look at our 2025 milestones:
None of this progress would be possible without you, our donors, partners, volunteers, YMCA staff, community leaders, and Barrie residents who continue to believe in this project.
Your generosity and encouragement make it clear: Barrie is ready for its new YMCA.
Your belief in the YMCA’s mission moves us closer to opening the doors in 2027.
Next year will be one of the most exciting years of the project so far. We invite you to continue to follow along with us as we get closer to welcoming thousands of residents into a space built for community, health, and belonging, the new YMCA in Barrie.
Big moments in 2026 are coming and we can’t wait to share them with you.
Click here to read all our past Project Updates.
