Over 130 tents set up on Barrie beaches over weekend despite bylaw ban

Barrie beaches are booming with the streak of hot weather and that has come with some complaints.

The hot and sunny weekend meant Barrie’s beaches were packed, but with the heavy crowds also came compliance issues with tent and barbecue bylaws.

Barrie bylaw states that tents and private cooking appliances are not permitted in areas such as Centennial Beach Park, and only barbecue stations can be used for cooking. However, city staff confirmed to CTV News that numerous violations were observed over this past weekend.

“We had at least 132 tents erected on the beach area,” said Bryan Keene, enforcement services supervisor, citing safety concerns related to tents making it more difficult for lifeguards to supervise the beach. “Large tents obviously occupy a lot of space and don’t allow for as much usage by everyone along the waterfront as well.”

Barrie beach-goers can face fines of up to $235 for tents and $365 for cooking appliances. Beach-goers are also reminded to park in designated areas and not on landscaped or grassed areas.

On the other hand, the crowds have provided a positive boost to businesses that line the beach.

“We went through so much slush and so (many) hot dogs, we have literally run out,” said Elora Bain with the Barrie Waterfront Concession.

With Monday’s cool and overcast weather, both Barrie’s and Innisfil’s beaches were significantly less crowded.

Parking in Innisfil had been a bigger issue for the town to deal with.

“We have not had to issue any penalties relating to tents and barbecues, but we have seen parking infractions. These are commonly non-residents parking in spaces not allocated to them or those without an Innisfil-issued parking pass not paying the required fees,” said Mitchel Harris, manager of municipal law enforcement, as part of their statement to CTV News.

A spokesperson from the City of Barrie told CTV News that the Centennial Beach Park washrooms are cleaned twice a day regularly and ‘more often’ on weekends and holidays.