Terry Fox Circle Design and Construction

The City is advancing a design project to address the condition of the Terry Fox Circle and to address identified safety issues, increased park usage, and the amount of usable greenspace in the park closest to the waters edge.

To complete the design and construction documentation for the Terry Fox Circle, the City engaged FRP Inc., a landscape architectural consulting firm, to develop design options for this area of the park. At the October 4, 2021 Council meeting, a motion was passed to direct staff to proceed with the detailed design of the proposed Terry Fox Circle based on design option 2 as set out in Report DSE-21-19.

The Terry Fox Circle will remain and will allow cars to enter the park and travel around a looping driveway, similar to how the Terry Fox Circle functions now. The Terry Fox Circle will be shortened a small amount to increase the amount of usable greenspace closest to the water and to improve safety in this area. The proposed changes to this area of the park will allow more people to comfortably enjoy this important public space. The proposed design is in keeping with the long-term preservation of Couchiching Beach Park. The key character pieces in the park including the Dr. Seymour Conservatory, the Rotary Aqua Theatre, the Begg Memorial Fountain, the Biindigen Pavilion, the Historic Bandshell, the playgrounds, the beach, and the location of the Champlain Monument, are all being preserved and celebrated.

The selected plan is fully compliant with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and will include accessible access to the core of the park making it easier for seniors and those with disabilities to enjoy and move around the park. Most importantly, the plan celebrates Orillia’s heritage and uniqueness and ensures that a beautiful public waterfront is part of both Orillia’s past and Orillia’s future.

Pending construction budget approval, this project will be brought forward for Council consideration as a proposed 2025 construction project.

Other projects in the area of Couchiching Beach Park will be completed prior to the reconstruction of the Terry Fox Circle. The reconstruction of Centennial Drive (between Mississaga Street East and Canice Street) will commence in April 2022, and the reconstruction of the Dr. Seymour Conservatory is planned to commence in the spring of 2022. Other planned improvement projects for the waterfront parklands include the reconstruction of the Centennial Park Boat Launch Area Parking Lot (2023), and the expansion of the Couchiching Beach Park parking lot (to be determined).

Project Concept Renderings

Project Documentation and Related Studies

Report No. DSE-21-19

Downtown Waterfront Parkland Design Study