The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is excited to announce that the Middlefield Charitable Foundation has provided a generous $300,000 donation toward the new YMCA in Barrie, a gift that will help bring lifesaving aquatic programming and community wellness to thousands of residents across Simcoe County. In recognition of this significant contribution, the lap pool at the new facility will be named the ‘Middlefield Lap Pool.’
The Middlefield Lap Pool will serve as a hub for fitness, rehabilitation, swimming lessons, and community connection. It will provide access to lifesaving swim instruction and water safety education, supporting the long-term wellbeing of the community. Thoughtfully designed as a safe and inclusive aquatic environment, the space will welcome everyone – from youth and families to older adults and individuals new to swimming.
“At Middlefield, we believe strong communities are built through a commitment to health, wellness, and sport. That belief has guided our support of organizations ranging from leading healthcare institutions such as Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital to amateur athletics and community-based programs that enrich lives and bring people together,” said Jeremy Brasseur, Executive Chairman, Middlefield. “The YMCA embodies these values by helping individuals and families lead healthier lives, supporting youth development, and fostering stronger, more connected communities. We are proud to support an organization whose impact is felt every day across the region.”
The donation comes at a pivotal moment, as construction continues on the new YMCA at 535 Bayview Drive. This 77,000-square-foot Centre of Community is designed to serve more than 10,000 people across Barrie and Simcoe County when it opens in 2027.
“We are deeply grateful to the Middlefield Charitable Foundation for this extraordinary gift,” said Jill Tettmann, President and CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “Access to water safety and swim instruction can be life-changing, and the Middlefield Lap Pool will be a place where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to grow stronger and healthier. When organizations like Middlefield step forward, they remind us that supporting the health and wellness of our community is something we achieve best together.”
The $70 million project will feature a full aquatics centre with swimming programs for all ages, a gymnasium and indoor track for fitness, recreation and community gatherings, as well as 12 units of youth transitional housing offering safe and supportive accommodations. It will also include health partnerships with Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) to deliver cancer and cardiac rehabilitation programs, along with accessible, intergenerational spaces where families, seniors, newcomers, and youth can connect.
To learn more about the new YMCA in Barrie and its fundraising efforts, visit 100ReasonsY.ca.