The last lines are being put into the water ahead of next month's inaugural Barrie Boat, Fishing and Outdoor Show at East Bayfield Community Centre in the city's north end.
"As anticipation builds for this exciting event, recreation and culture services and Access Barrie staff are working closely with the event organizer, Continuum Productions Inc., to finalize the event details," Rob Bell, the city's manager of recreation and culture facilities, said in a memo to city council.
The boat show — which covers everything from fishing accessories and outdoor equipment to seminars and travel destinations — will take place Feb. 7-9, during which time the community centre will be closed to its regular users.
However, those groups won't be left completely empty-handed.
City staff and event organizers have been working closely with groups that use the Livingstone Street East facility, including the Barrie Women’s Hockey Association, the Barrie Minor Hockey Association, and the Barrie Trojans Swim Club.
"These community organizations will benefit from a portion of gross sales from a silent auction held over the show weekend," Bell said. "Each user group has also received $1,000 worth of event tickets to hand out or to sell for additional fundraising dollars."
To accommodate the show, Bell said the city has also co-ordinated East Bayfield Community Centre's closure with the fitness centre maintenance work, and will also allow aquafit classes and the Trojans swim team to use the facility in the mornings until Friday, Feb. 7.
The recreation centre will be closed for other regular activities from Tuesday, Feb. 4 to Sunday, Feb. 9. It will reopen for regular activities on Monday, Feb. 10.
Terry Fox Elementary School, which is located east of the community centre, has also been supportive by promoting the show to parents and holding a “walk-to-school week” to reduce concerns over parking-lot congestion in school drop-off areas, Bell said.
Event organizers have also proposed a Creative Kids contest to the school's principal, Bell said, adding around 100 students will be participating by creating designs for the show's media campaign. Artwork wil be used in advertisements while also being placed in display at the boat show as part of the decor.
Troy Landry, from the television show Swamp People, will be at the boat show on Saturday, while Barrie native and former NHLer Shayne Corson will be there on Sunday.
The show runs noon until 8 p.m., on the Friday, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets are $12 for adults, and $10 for seniors and youths aged 13 to 17. Kids 13 and under get in free.
Parking is free.
For more information on the event, click here.
