BACKGROUND
Collier Street United Church (CSUC), located in the heart of downtown Barrie, faced increasing financial strain due to declining donations, a shrinking congregation, and an aging building with rising maintenance costs. Despite offering valued community programs such as Out of the Cold and a food program, the church’s financial model was no longer sustainable, with deficits growing steadily. In 2023, CSUC engaged Relèven to lead a full Lifting the Lid process—assessing property potential, finances, community needs, and the congregation’s aspirations—in order to chart a path toward long-term viability and renewed community relevance.
LIFTING THE LID
Relèven conducted a 7-scan analysis:
- Financial Scan: Identified major revenue declines, lack of reserves, and unsustainable operating deficits.
- Building Scan: Found that only one-third of the building’s 14,500 sq. ft. was used actively; repairs totaling $100–250K would be needed to reach modern rental potential.
- Development Scan: Site deemed highly suitable for a 15–18 storey mixed-use rental development.
- Congregation Scan: 52% of congregants supported a hybrid housing + community hub development.
- Neighbourhood & Stakeholder Scan: A major community meeting in September 2024 brought together 38 local leaders from sectors including health, housing, arts, youth, and civic services. Input strongly affirmed the need for housing (seniors, students, families), arts and cultural space, mental health and recovery facilities, and inclusive, accessible gathering spaces.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Stakeholder Priorities Identified
- Urgent need for affordable, transitional, and senior housing, including co-op and modular options.
- Strong support for mental health services, drop-in centres, and recovery spaces.
- Desire for arts venues (200–400 seat theatres, studios), childcare, cooking classrooms, vertical gardens, and commercial kitchens.
- Encouragement for mixed-use models, rooftop and patio green space, and vertical density.
- Virtually no resistance to redevelopment; community expressed trust in the church’s leadership to pursue solutions boldly.
Neighbourhood Context
- Located close to downtown and next to a multi-family corridor with growing newcomer and senior populations.
- Local challenges include food security, access to services, and a shortage of senior and Indigenous-friendly housing.
- City of Barrie has aligned its master plan with aggressive affordable housing targets and is supportive of density in the downtown.
Preferred Scenario: Hybrid Redevelopment – Community Hub + Rental Housing
- Redevelop the site into a community hub at ground level with mid- to high-rise residential above.
- Incorporate arts, wellness, food, and civic programming into shared-use space.
- Partner with a developer to manage housing, while the church retains governance over hub operations.
- Maintain its sanctuary as a flexible worship space and arts space that is embedded in the new design.
NEXT STEPS
The congregation is entering early planning discussions, supported by Relèven, which include:
- Zoning and site massing exploration, with community-supported density targets.
- EOI preparation and partnership criteria development.
- Financial modeling, operating plans, and governance frameworks for the future hub.
- Short-term space optimization strategies during transition. Through this work, Collier Street United Church is poised not only to sustain its legacy but to become a catalyst for affordable housing, community culture, and inclusive faith presence in Barrie’s downtown core.
