A building that carries a long and storied history, home of a Barrie fixture has been demolished. The city is working on a project that will expand Barrie’s wastewater treatment plant, which involves creating a new facility. To do that, several buildings near the facility have been torn down, including the historical building that held the longstanding Midway Diner. That building was torn down on Tuesday. Now what remains are several piles of fallen bricks and debris. “The Wastewater Innovation Centre represents an important step in ensuring the City can meet the needs of its rapidly growing population,” Manager of Facility Planning and Development Paolo Bovolini tells CTV News. Construction work is currently underway including mobilization, setup, fencing, wildlife surveying, tree protection and removals. The wastewater treatment plant property will spread across the area at the corner of John Street and Bradford Street. The expanded facility will consist of administrative spaces, a training and multi-purpose area, maintenance and repair workshops, garage bays, staff facilities and vehicle storage. Most of the construction is taking place Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. with occasional work happening outside of these hours, which is in compliance with Barrie bylaws. The city says excessive noise should not be an issue during construction. The Midway Diner has since relocated to 190 Cundles Road East, where it’s partnered with Lazy Tulip Café. The construction is expected to be completed in 2028.
