A new location for the ‘Heart Barrie’ sign was updated to the Heritage Park’s master plan at a recent Barrie building committee meeting.
A new location for the ‘Heart Barrie’ sign was updated to the Heritage Park’s master plan at a recent Barrie building committee meeting.
According to a report by Barrietoday.com, Michael Barker of SHIFT Landscape Architecture of Guelph, which is involved in the new master plan, said the sign is to be directly on the entry axis to Heritage Park.
“Although I understand the goal of the sign from a sort of branding and energy level, I would be concerned that instead of seeing the water, and potentially sail boats and activity at the water and these sorts of things, it’s that sign,” said Barker. “I think there is some merit in continuing to look at alternate locations as the project develops.”
The master plan update shows maps for an alternative location for the sign, entering Heritage Park.
Barrie Councillor Mike McCann, who has championed the landmark sign, said his initial location preference was Meridian Place, but city staff said it was the wrong place.
“In a June report, that (alternative) location was already mentioned… and there were a series of concerns by city staff why that location wouldn’t work… because it would interfere with some of the festivals that we have down there in the summer,” McCann said. “So, I went with city staff’s recommendation about where we’re talking about now,” he said in the report.
The total amount of money needed to finance the sign is $200,000, which is to go in Heritage Park by July 1 next summer and McCann has raised the first $150,000. The last $50,000 must be raised by March 31, 2022.
The design for the sign will include a heart and the word ‘Barrie,’ and once a manufacturer is chosen, the design will be determined. To make the sign more unique, ideas of public art were included to involve the community while also helping to attract more visitors.
The estimated timeline for the project is roughly four months from design to installation. It would be constructed from steel and aluminum and have a coating applied to assist with graffiti removal. It would also be lit with LED lights, which would require little power and have minimal energy costs, reports Barrietoday.com.
