Bad behaviour at Barrie’s Holly Community Centre could lead to security staff at the Mapleton Avenue facility.
As part of operating budget talks Monday night, city councillors decided to spend $35,000 on security there to deal with those who are threatening people, use poor language, are noisy, and vandalize the south-end property.
“It turns out the problems are much worse than I initially had thought from some of the residents' complaints that I received,” said Coun, Gary Harvey, who represents this area of the cirty.
Dawn McAlpine, the city’s general manager of community and corporate services, outlined the problems.
“We have experienced a number of issues, both inside and outside of the rec centre, specifically fires being lit around the perimeter of the building,” she said. “We have had individuals bullied or prohibited from entering or leaving the building; we’ve had groups of youth riding their bikes inside the building."
“The behaviour you have mentioned is criminal — arson, accosting people,” said Coun. Robert Thomson.
McAlpine said the city has worked with Barrie police to address a number of these issues, but police can’t be there on a regular basis.
The trouble tends to occur later in the afternoon, into the evenings, starting at approximately 3 p.m.
“We have found that it (security) acts as a deterrent and reduces the number of challenges that we experience,” she said.
Holly Community Centre is closed now due to the pandemic, but there could be security once it reopens — although when that happens is unknown.
Coun. Sergio Morales said the city should send a letter of concern to the Simcoe County District School Board trustee for this area, as well as officials at nearby Holly Meadows Elementary School.
McAlpine said the city has a positive relationship with the school, an immediate neighbour on Mapleton Avenue.
“Many issues are occurring after school ends and I would suggest are maybe not the school board’s responsibility at that point in time,” she said.
Morales said he disagreed.
“Hopefully, this behaviour ceases or minimizes, and I’d have no problem sending the bill for the security guard next year to the school board if it continues,” he said.
The motion to spend $35,000 on security at Holly Community Centre carried unanimously Monday night and could receive final approval from city council at its Jan. 25 meeting, as part of the city’s 2021 operating and capital budget.
