Dispute over a new Barrie high school could last even longer

A proposed new high school under the Simcoe County District School Board in Barrie, Ont. can be seen in this model rendering. (Simcoe County District School Board)

The long dispute that's been holding up construction of a new high school in Barrie’s south end could last even longer.

Three years after the Simcoe County District School Board was given the funds to build a new high school, a lot on Mapleview Drive and Prince William Way remains empty.

"It’s been unfortunate that to this point that we haven't come to an agreement, but we certainly hope we can come to an agreement,” says John Dance, superintendent of facility services with the SCDSB.

The city and the board are at a standstill. The board wants the school built on the south side of the lot, while the city wants it on the north side.

The board proposed a compromise. They'd put an administration building at the intersection of Mapleview and Prince William, and put the buildings housing students on the south side.

However, a consultant told them that plan wasn't viable, due to visibility issues.

"A second building would in fact go against CPTED principles,” Dance says. “Also go against the idea of making this a very viable pedestrian friendly area."

Not building the extra structure would save the school board $2-million. The City of Barrie is not happy with the revised plan.

"The notion is that building on Mapleview somehow blocks the viewing of the school, that's bizarre,” says Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman. “There is a huge long open side of the field with nothing there to block the views. I can't understand that notion at all. "

The city insists the board has known its position from the start.

"They were told more than a year ago now about what the guidelines were. Our policies have been out there. They have been developed for years and years. They were all public. There were no surprises here.”

The school board plans to submit its revised site plan to the planning department of the City of Barrie. The board says it has options if the city rejects the plan, including going to the Ontario Municipal Board or finding a new site.

The board still hopes to have the school open by September 2018.