Barrie city council gave final approval this week to include the extended roof-top space on Barrie Transit Terminal’s second floor in the lease agreement between the city and the Sandbox Entrepreneurship Centre.
Use of the extended roof-top space for an outdoor patio would be approved subject to the Sandbox Entrepreneurship Centre meeting all building permit requirements and specified conditions of the lease.
A staff report notes the roof is past its usable lifespan.
Last October, city council approved a motion supporting the establishment of an entrepreneurship centre on the second floor of 24 Maple Ave., located in downtown Barrie. It will provide a single location for entrepreneurs to meet, learn and mentor.
An additional outdoor patio area would improve the overall attractiveness of the space, and support the social and networking interactions of businesses and start-ups there.
The proposed design includes replacing current windows on the south wall with larger windows for better views of Kempenfelt Bay and a large, sliding glass door for access to the outdoor patio.
The staff report also notes the building's current windows are 30 years old.
This patio design would increase the overall marketability and property value of the space, by adding approximately 1,000 square feet to the existing 8,000 sq. ft. of space on the transit terminal’s second floor.
The Sandbox Entrepreneurial Centre has been successful in securing corporate funding, along with in-kind materials and services, for the capital requirements of the proposed patio project; there would be no financial implications to the city’s capital plan.
The Sandbox organization has hired a managing director and two staff, who are in the process of working with city staff to define the performance metrics that would be reported back to council.
The Sandbox has more than 40 businesses confirmed as members, and more than 15 sponsors.
Its targeted launch date is early 2019.
