thinc design was selected for the detailed design and tender phase of Military Heritage Park on the Barrie waterfront. The park showcases Barrie’s military history and the City’s relationship with Canadian Forces Base Borden and waterfront.
The nine acre site is located on a historic railway roundhouse, and an archeologically significant area. Thoughtful site grading meant the development of the park left the sensitive areas largely undisturbed, while the old roundhouse alignment has become the central axis for many of the park features. The new design also integrates the historic Southshore Community Centre, and provides upgraded and additional parking, accessible connections, and bicycle parking for the facility.
It includes a ceremonial square for events, a central roundhouse plateau, a woodlot and beach shoreline, earth berms and small mounds with trenches and retaining walls, a tulip meadow, a memorial forest, trees along Lakeshore Drive and educational displays.
thinc design led the multidisciplinary team of consultants which includes archaeological, environmental, geotechnical, electrical, structural and civil engineering. The project was completed in the fall of 2017.