It is Time for Barrie to think Big

I was at the new Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls over the weekend. An impressive facility. Over 1600 people from across the province were there for the PCPO annual general meeting, keeping the tills of hotels, restaurants and other merchants ringing over the weekend in this city of under 85,000 that is otherwise comatose at this time of year.

As I watched people filtering into the Centre Saturday morning on foot from the various walking distance away hotels I couldn't help thinking how well such a facility would work in Barrie Ontario. We are within an hour of the GTA, home to millions of people and Canada's economic engine. We are almost 2 hours closer to the nearest international airport. Kempenfelt Bay may not hold the distinction of being one of the top 7 natural wonders of the world but it is awe inspiring none the less and as far as outdoor activities go, the region has far more to offer than standing around watching water fall over a cliff.

Barrie is now on the radar with major Canadian Banks as a choice location for its data centres.

Having this dinstinction now we should be boldly promoting Barrie’s prime potential as a future convention destination to our leading financial institutions who have both the means and track record for establishing large scale convention/arts centres. I think most of us can think of a few in town Barrie locations that could accomodate a full scale convention centre. In addition to hosting conventions and the arts, what better location can you name in Ontario to host boat, cottage, sports or home shows? The spin off business would be significant for Barrie.