The former 441 (Huronia) Wing RCAF Association building on Highway 90 at the edge of Barrie is about to receive a face-lift that will bring back some old memories.
The building, just west of Tiffin Street, hasn’t been the clubhouse for the RCAF since closing in 2008, but there have always been signs of its past.
Most recently a car dealership, the location once served as a meeting place for 441 Wing members and was widely known by passersby for the bright T-33 Red Knight, a jet-aerobatics performer, hovering over top.
Rudy Mak Surveying purchased the building about five months ago and is getting it ready to be their new office.
“The dealership didn’t do much inside with the place after taking it over from the RCAF, and when we were renovating it we realized we could keep so many aspects and tributes already there,” said Rudy Mak, the company's owner. “We’ve also had so many people coming though to do work at the place who said they remember being at a wedding reception or something that was held there.
"It holds a lot of memories for so many.”
Bill Sergeant, who is the chairman of the RCAF Association 441 (Huronia), told BarrieToday he has seen what the future holds for the site and he supports the plans.
“I had the good fortune of being given a tour of the building by Rudy recently,” said Sergeant. “He has done a fantastic job with the renovations and has plans for making an outdoor Air Force display next to it.”
Mak said the renovations should be complete in a few weeks and there will likely be an open house in early December.
“There are elements of the history of the building and the 441 Wing that we have saved and restored and hope to add historic RCAF photographs and memorabilia in the reception area,” he said. “We are also working with 441 Wing, (Canadian Forces Base) Borden and Springwater on an additional element. That work will likely take a full year to complete with a plan to have that ready for the 100th anniversary of the RCAF on April 1, 2024.”
There are also other ideas for the exterior that Mak said he doesn’t want to give away, but did say it could include a parkette.
“The plans we have will enforce this as a historical spot. Kids, students, families should be able to come out and learn about what men and women selflessly did in service of others,” Mak said.
