Re-Imagining Collier
Our Re-Imagining journey at Collier Street United Church [CSUC] continues with excitement and hope. Thank you for your ongoing support as we explore new possibilities for our church and community.
—Laurie Crosson, Lianne Patterson, Marg Valad, and Pastor Doreen Hewitson
Re-Imagining Task Force Members
Phase 3 – Pre-Development Exploration
Beginning in January 2026, Edward Archibald of A Good Life Group, and Laurie Crosson, Task Force Co-Chair, began meeting with many community groups exploring potential community hub partnerships. This pre-development work is critical to establishing the viability, format and design of a development at CSUC. More information will be shared as we progress through this phase. We’re excited about the community interest in our project!
Phase 2 – Art of the Possible
Concurrent Exploration of Community Hub and Development
Collier’s Re-Imagining goal is to explore a redevelopment that includes affordable and market-rate housing along with flexible community spaces. The aim is to use our property in ways that benefit the community while creating a sustainable revenue stream to support Collier’s future ministry and mission.
Art of the Possible focuses on identifying a development partner who can work collaboratively with Collier throughout the project. We are seeking a partner who:
- Connects with Collier and the Re-Imagining Task Force
- Values open, transparent collaboration
- Welcomes feedback and input from the congregation
- Shares Collier’s vision and goals for the future of our property
Re-Imagining Collier: 2025 Journey Highlights
Throughout 2024 and 2025, Collier Street United Church [CSUC] continued its Re-Imagining journey with care, diligence, and deep community engagement. Below is a snapshot of the key milestones from the past year.
2025 Actions | |
January | Our Re-Imagining work entered an important new phase with the addition of Marg Valad and Bill Leslie to the Task Force. Laurie and Lianne met with them to review progress and outline next steps. Marg’s expertise quickly became integral to the team. We also pause to honour Bill Leslie, who passed away in August 2025. Bill’s thoughtful, pragmatic insights and big-picture questions are deeply missed. Laurie and Kendra Fry (Reléven) met with Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall at Collier, sharing the vision for the project and its potential value to the city—an important step in building municipal awareness and support. |
March | Task Force members, alongside Dave Harder of Reléven and David Chong and Kenny Price (Brokers of Record), met individually with interested developers. These meetings explored early redevelopment ideas, experience with church projects, and alignment with Collier’s vision. |
April | The Task Force carefully reviewed and evaluated all developer submissions. Based on alignment with Collier’s goals and relevant experience, two developers were short-listed.
Kendra Fry of Reléven participated in an Affordable Housing and Community Hub roundtable with regional community stakeholders, strengthening our understanding of local needs and opportunities. |
June | Follow-up meetings were held with the two short-listed developers. These conversations allowed deeper discussion of vision, experience, values, and working relationships. Following this process, the Task Force selected A Good Life Group, led by Edward Archibald, as the preferred developer for Collier’s Re-Imagining project. |
July | Working with Dave Harder of Reléven, the Task Force began drafting a Letter of Intent (LOI) outlining a non-binding agreement between CSUC and A Good Life. The LOI establishes a framework for collaboration, allowing pre-development work to begin while ensuring CSUC retains influence and flexibility. The Church Board approved the recommendation and referred the decision to the congregation. To support informed decision-making, nine small-group discussions (in-person and online) were held, with 28 members participating. |
September | On September 14, 2025, a Congregational Meeting was held. After thoughtful discussion and questions, the congregation voted to approve A Good Life as the developer and authorized the signing of the LOI. Edward Archibald attended in person. Following the vote, the Task Force began formal liaison with the Communities of Faith Commission (COFC) of Shining Waters Region, whose approval is required before signing. |
2024 Actions | ||
January | On January 28, 2024, the Collier Street United Church congregation overwhelmingly approved the recommendation from Reléven (formerly Trinity Centres Foundation) that CSUC explore a partnership with the City of Barrie and a developer to create a hybrid housing development and community hub, in consultation with the Shining Waters Regional Council. | |
February | The Re-Imagining Task Force launched a congregational survey seeking input on priorities for: · Re-Imagined Church · Re-Imagined Community Hub · Re-Imagined Building/Development Members were also asked for ideas regarding the future use of the parking lot space. The feedback received has been valuable in shaping the direction of the project. | |
March | The Task Force submitted two key documents to the Communities of Faith Commission (COFC) of Shining Waters Region:
These submissions were required as part of the process of exploring redevelopment. Work also continued with Reléven to finalize the Phase 2 contract – “Art of the Possible.” | |
May | Task Force Co-Chairs Laurie Crosson and Lianne Patterson attended the “Steeples, Cities and Circus 2024” conference in Montreal at the St. Jax Centre, a leading example of a re-imagined church space. | |
June | Following extensive consultation with Reléven and Shining Waters Region, the Phase 2 contract (“Art of the Possible”) between CSUC and Reléven was officially signed. | |
August | Nidea Realties Corporation was appointed as Broker of Record to support the developer engagement process and collaborate with Reléven and Task Force members. | |
September | Community Hub | A Community Town Hall was held on September 11, 2024, facilitated by Reléven’s Kendra Fry. Key outcomes: · Strong support for housing development on the site · Encouragement for increased density · Strong interest in maintaining community-focused programming through a Community Hub Potential partnerships and collaborations identified at the Town Hall continue to be explored. |
September | Development | Reléven issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting potential developers to explore partnership opportunities with CSUC. CSUC’s main objectives include:
For developers, the project offers a well-located site in a strong market area, with opportunities for a collaborative joint venture. |
October | The Task Force and Reléven met with three potential developers via Zoom to discuss their interest in the Collier site and explore redevelopment possibilities. | |
November | Reléven provided the congregation with a report on the Community Town Hall results. A second congregational survey was launched to gather feedback on possible Community Hub options, helping determine CSUC’s missional priorities for the next five years. | |
December | The Task Force received written proposals from four developer groups, outlining their visions for the Collier site. Follow-up meetings and site tours were scheduled for early 2025.
Laurie held briefing meetings with Mayor Alex Nuttall and City Councillors Clare Riepma and Craig Nixon, introducing the project and strengthening important municipal connections.
Two new members joined the Re-Imagining Task Force:
| |
Phase 1 – Lifting the Lid
Neighbourhood listening is an exercise in getting outside of our church building and looking around with new eyes. This is about seeing the people in our neighbourhood – both the seen and the unseen, and reflecting on your experience. As we consider our Re-Imagining, we want to look beyond our church walls and engage with the community.
We have a dedicated Re-Imagining bulletin board located on the main floor at CSUC, across from the reception desk under the stairs. This will be the place for you to find resources and information on our Re-Imagining process.
Step 4—Final Report from Reléven (formerly Trinity Centres Foundation) presented to the congregation during worship on November 12/2023 – The recommendations made within the final report can be obtained from Church Office.
Step 5—Small Group Discussions—17 small group discussions were held in-person and online between November 13/2023 and January 25/2024 so congregation members could share their thoughts, hopes, fears and questions about Collier’s Re-Imagining process in preparation for the congregational decision to be made on January 28/2024 [64 attendees with 138 total attendance (some attended multiple times)].
What we heard:
- Hopeful
- Sad about the loss of the past
- Anxious about change
- Optimistic about the future
- Curious
- And BRAVE!
Step 6—on January 28/2024 Collier Street United votes favourably to explore Re-Imagining of our building and property.
Following the favourable congregation vote, and with the affirmation of the Shining Waters Regional Council, Collier Street United partnered with Reléven (formerly Trinity Centres Foundation) to complete Phase 2 Art of the Possible of finding a suitable developer and community hub partners to recommend to the congregation.