Barrie Marina set to open for 2025 boating season

The annual boat lift took place on Friday at the Barrie Marina, a sure sign of spring.

The Barrie Marina is set to open for the 2025 season as sailboats were launched in the water on Friday.

The marina officially opens Saturday, and city officials are gearing up for a busy season.

“We’ve got some exciting plans for our environmental initiatives and the season here in Barrie is great. We’ve got so many events happening, “said Joel Giles, supervisor of facilities at the marina. “Just excited to bring in some new staff, see some friendly faces, see the community walking the boardwalks. It’s a happy place.”

Giles expects the marina to be busy, and attendants will be making safety a top priority.

“We do have attendants there to help and assist your launch,” said supervisor of facilities at the marina Joel Giles. “We want to make sure everybody is careful this time of year and make sure you have your safety equipment and plugs in your boat.”

With the boating season just beginning, the water is still a concern.

“The water is extremely cold still with ice out roughly two weeks ago,” he added.

The city has many initiatives with a focus on the environment and is excited for the summer season.

“We will be having youth from Lake Simcoe out test driving the drone, understanding the exciting technology that we have that we can take offshore, and reach areas that we typically wouldn’t reach,” said Giles. “With the technology of the pixie drone, It makes it exciting to get to those areas that would often be untouched.”

The marina will remain open for the season and will be set to close in October.