A significant construction project is coming to Johnson's Beach, possibly next winter, to avoid future washout along the secluded recreation area.
According to a memo in Monday night's city council package from project engineer Angela MacLean, the engineering department is completing the detail design for an "enhancement" project at the popular east-end beach.
The project will ensure there's an area for stormwater to flow properly to reduce the chance of beach washout.
The beach area will also undergo modifications to regain some additional area for recreational use.
A public information centre (PIC) is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 at the Parkview Community Centre from 5-8 p.m. There will not be formal presentation, but the PIC will include design drawings, a Q&A session with city staff, input on the detail design, and discussion around construction activities.
Some of the project highlights include changes to the curbs in the parking area, removal of the existing rock channel, installation of a new overflow channel, and sand placement in the channel.
Work is expected to take about one month.
The beach will not be closed during construction, but there will be parking lot restrictions.
Daily access to the Barrie Yacht Club, which is located east of Johnson's Beach, will not be affected. However, movement of large vehicles in and out of the yacht club will need to be co-ordinated with the city during the construction period.
A letter is being mailed out Dec. 28 to advise agencies, businesses, property owners and tenants in the area of the project and its scope.
The project remains in the design phase and is approximately 30 per cent complete, according to MacLean. Pending budget approval and permitting, the tender will go out in April 2020 and construction could occur in November 2020.
In 2016, modifications were made to the storm-sewer outlet that passes through the beach. A rock-lined overflow channel was built so that, if the inlet became blocked, the overland flow of water would not wash out the beach area.
Since those modifications, MacLean says there have been no issues with flows, but changes were needed to regain some of the beach area.
