City staff are going to explore a variety of revenue-generating possibilities, ranging from opening up city-owned facilities to private business, leasing naming rights for city facilities, and monetizing waterfront parking.
While no final decision has been made, city council gave staff the nod at last week’s meeting to explore the ideas and report back with further information at a later date.
The host of ideas came forward following an inquiry motion by Coun. Luke Leatherdale earlier this year, when he gained council’s support to explore opening up city-owned facilities to commercial business opportunities.
"Personally, I do not want to see city facilities renamed, and I also would like to see Orillia's citizens be given free parking and then maybe a parking charge for non-residents," clarified Leatherdale at last week's meeting.
Given council's approval, staff will seek expressions of interest for business opportunities at the following locations:
- Orillia Recreation Centre
- Orillia Waterfront Centre / Centennial Park
- West Orillia Sports Complex
- J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park
- Couchiching Beach Park
- Orillia Public Library
In their report, city staff said there will be “minimal parameters” on potential business opportunities, which could range from restaurants, retail, arts, recreational activities or rentals, or any other for-profit venture, with any expressions of interest to be brought to council for discussion.
The city already leases parts of some municipal facilities, such as the Lakehead University campus at Orillia City Centre and the Bayside Restaurant at Barnfield Point Recreation Centre; city staff reported that a pop-up bistro program launch in Ottawa in 2019 has been a “great success.”
Though the idea was approved, not all councillors were thrilled by it.
“I'm just wondering if we can delete the Orillia Public Library from this because there are … retail businesses and food businesses in that area,” said Coun. Ralph Cipolla, who agreed to drop his request pending further information.
Regarding leasing naming rights, city staff will explore opportunities for the following city facilities:
- Orillia Recreation Centre
- Brian Orser Arena
- West Orillia Sports Complex
- Orillia Opera House
- Orillia Waterfront Centre
- Rotary Place Arena
- Orillia Water Stack (tower)
The Rotary Club secured naming rights for the West Orillia Sports Complex in 2009 at a cost of $150,000.
"At the time, staff recommended a 15-year sunset clause which expires in 2024. Staff recommend revisiting this agreement to determine if future monetization could occur," noted the staff report.
The report also noted the City of Barrie has monetized their arena and recreation centre in recent years, which will bring in $2.34 million over the next 8-10 years.
Coun. Jay Fallis, however, strongly opposed renaming the Orillia Opera House, Brian Orser Arena, or Orillia Recreation Centre, noting the historical value of the two former facilities and the work the city put into the recreation centre.
“I think in losing that name, you kind of lose all the work that was put into it,” he said. “I think, also, the Opera House and the Brian Orser Arena, those are very (historical) sites within our city, and I think to take those names away takes away the history of those sites to some degree.”
Other members of council, however, did not agree with Fallis.
“We're just asking for recommendations. If someone comes up and has a really great idea about renaming either the Orillia Recreation Centre or Opera House, that would be something to consider — it might be for a nanosecond,” said Mayor Don McIsaac.
“With your method here, with the amendment, you don’t: you just exclude it and say we're going hunting, but we're not taking a gun.”
The city’s deputy CAO, Amanpreet Sidhu, similarly said striking facilities from the list would be “very premature and against the interests of the taxpayer,” noting an organization closely aligned with one of these facilities could help bring additional revenue to the city.
He also said the city’s name would remain part of these facilities.
“It is going to remain the Orillia Recreation Centre — somebody else needs to then find value in adding to that,” Sidhu said. “The (proposed amendment) takes that opportunity of somebody suggesting an alternative.”
Council ultimately supported the idea, with Coun. Jeff Czetwerzuk also suggesting that parts of city facilities — such as certain rooms in a building — could alternatively be explored for naming rights.
City staff will also look into monetizing waterfront parking, with council directing them to report back on the idea during 2025 budget deliberations later this year.
This could take the form of permitting free parking for residents of Orillia, while charging for non-residents, city staff said, with the report to consider potential parking rates and fees, enforcement requirements, access for special events, and more.
Currently, there are 625 free parking spots across the following locations:
- Veteran’s Memorial Park
- Centennial Park
- Couchiching Beach Park
- Terry Fox Circle
- J.B Tudhope Memorial Park
Fallis highlighted parking measures in place during the pandemic, which were unpopular with residents of surrounding townships, as a potential issue moving forward.
“One of the big challenges was neighbouring municipalities having residents who worked in Orillia, but didn't live in Orillia, and wouldn't qualify for the parking,” he said. “I know there was a lot of opposition to that element.”
Coun. Tim Lauer, however, noted there are numerous places in the surrounding townships where parking is paid for non-residents.
“It's about time we caught up with the rest of the province,” he said. “Before anybody gets too sentimental about the surrounding townships, if you go out and try to park on a beach anywhere in Oro-Medonte, you will be charged, and same with Severn — it's happening everywhere.”
In response, Fallis argued against restricting access to public space.
“I'm inclined to vote against because I think it, in some ways, restricts access to a public asset,” he said.
