Everything needs a name.
City councillors gave a staff report initial approval at their general committee meeting Monday night about naming elements within Memorial Square and Meridian Place in downtown Barrie. The motion will need final approval at next week’s council meeting.
The community event stage at Meridian Place could soon carry the name ‘Wildfire-Peacock Stage’ for a period of 25 years in recognition of the Peacock Foundation’s $250,000 sponsorship contribution to the downtown project.
The Peacock family, which has been in the Barrie area since 1856 and has supported many community initiatives over the years. Wildfire is derived from a publishing arm of their Kempenfelt Graphics business.
The western promenade, extending from Dunlop Street to Simcoe Street/Heritage Park, could also be named Cullington Way in recognition of community leaders Angela Baldwin and Mark Jepp’s $100,000 sponsorship contribution to the project. Cullington is a reference to Jepp’s mother’s maiden name.
The eastern promenade, from Dunlop Street to Simcoe Street/Heritage Park, would be named Pte. Frank Samuel Sivell Way in recognition of Jamie and Wendy Massie’s sponsorship contribution of $100,000 to the project. Jamie Massie, who is the president and co-founder of Georgian International, and Wendy have been instrumental in numerous fundraising efforts in the city.
Mr. Massie’s grandfather, Pte. Frank Samuel Sivell, was a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 48th Highlanders.
A First World War veteran, Sivell lost his leg at the hip in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He was one of several amputee veterans who worked in the prosthetic department at Christie St. Hospital. Each of these veterans built a cottage at Leonard’s Beach on a street that became known as Christie Street at the 10th Line of Innisfil, south of Barrie.
The Kiwanis Club of Barrie would be recognized with signs in the area of the Nine Mile Portage tiers to identify the club’s $175,000 sponsorship contribution.
The Kiwanis Club, which started in Barrie in 1922, is the longest-serving service club in Simcoe County. The club has said its sponsorship relates to efforts to serve the children of the world, as the Nine Mile Portage will form the basis of an educational tour.
The names would remain in effect until Sept. 30, 2043.
