Springwater council takes swing at $2.9M overhaul at Homer Barrett Park
By: Wayne Doyle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: BarrieToday.com, Nov 20, 2025
While the logic of building a splash pad in Elmvale’s Homer Barrett Park without accompanying washrooms was questioned a couple of times during last night’s council meeting in Springwater Township, politicians addressed the oversight and promised to correct it.
With about $500,000 earmarked for the construction of washrooms and change rooms at the park in 2026, council unanimously supported the project and threw its weight behind a long-term vision for the park — one that would transform it into a veritable urban oasis.
“Overall, the final design strikes a balance between built features and natural elements,” Mackenzie Fantini, a landscape architect with Shift Landscape Design, told council members during her presentation. “The pathways and gathering spaces are surrounded by meadows, trees and open lawn areas, creating a park that feels fluid and inviting and connected to nature.
“A place where people can gather, explore and truly enjoy,” she added.
According to the design Fantini presented, the Centennial Avenue park will feature multiple shade structures, washrooms and change rooms, a sports court, multiple seating structures, a toddler play area, multiple rest spots, walking trails, naturalized meadows and improved drainage.
While it’s an expensive endeavour, pegged at $2.9 million for the transformation, councillors agreed it would be worth the investment after seeing what it could become.
“The presentation was excellent. I found it to be very in-depth, the architecture of the structure was very nice and well thought out,” Coun. Phil Fisher said. “But $2.9 million seems a bit striking. It seems like a lot of money to me.”
Fisher wasn’t convinced the project delivered the value he was looking for.
Dean Collver, the township’s director of parks, recreation and facilities, addressed Fisher’s concerns, telling him the design plan addresses long-term needs.
“The high level you’re seeing is reflective of a complete transformation of the entire park,” Collver said.
Acknowledging the priority — the washrooms and change rooms — Collver advised council that by doing the entire park design, township staff now have a better idea of what constitutes a “community” or “destination” park.
Collver said the plan was to complete the work in phases.
“We now have the basis to come back to council and say, ‘this is the next step. Do you want to proceed or not?’”
Collver added the phased approach also allows township staff to look at other funding models, including grants or donor sources.
“We can implement it over whatever timeframe we want,” he said. “Ultimately, it will be whatever council is comfortable with.”
While Fantini noted phasing often results in higher overall costs due to factors such as remobilization, insurance, increase in material costs and other redundant expenses, she acknowledged it allows capital costs to be spread out over time.
In her presentation, she said there are three phases for the Homer Barrett Park project.
Phase one would cost $2.2 million and would include site mobilization, removals, amenity building (washrooms and change rooms), site grading, stormwater infrastructure, lighting and electrical works (one area light at sport court, one bollard light), asphalt parking lot, main area paving, a sports court, seating, waste receptacles, bike racks and tree planting.
Phase two would cost about $550,000 and would include site mobilization, remaining removals, site grading, lighting and electrical works (low pathway bollard lighting), asphalt pathways, limestone screenings pathways, flagstone connection paths, seating, habitat boxes, naturalized meadow seeding and tree planting.
Phase three is pegged at $400,000 and would include site grading, paving at the play area, shade shelter at play area, toddler play area, nature play circuit, seating, naturalized meadow seeding and tree planting.
Fisher wanted to know when work would begin and end.
While Collver said he hasn’t talked with any vendors to ascertain a timeline, he did advise council that it was a priority project.
“Our intention will be to break ground this year,” he said. “Completion? I honestly couldn’t guarantee this year. We have to be very conscious of the use of the park and if we’re disrupting it for construction purposes and taking it offline.
“It’s a very high-demand facility, so that would play into when it’s completed,” Collver added.
Coun. Matt Garwood, who represents the Elmvale community on council, acknowledged the township should have built washrooms and change rooms when the splash pad was installed, but accepted the reality that there is only so much money to go around.
“We have an opportunity to correct that,” he said. “We know residents from everywhere in Springwater and beyond are coming to the park because of the splash pad. I’m really excited about this project and I’m happy to endorse it.”ater council takes swing at $2.9M overhaul at Homer Barrett Park.