April 2026
The original structure has been around for over 100 years, but the Southshore Centre, along the waterfront in Barrie, Ontario, was re-christened with a new name on 15 May 2024. The new name of this historic building from Barrie’s railway past is the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre, in honour of the Korean War veteran and career Canadian Army officer.
The re-naming was done in conjunction with the RCAF’s 100th anniversary and the 80th anniversaries of D-Day and VE Day.
The original structure that now makes up the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre is one of the few remaining structures of the massive Grand Trunk Railway (GTR) yard in what was then the Village of Allandale. Built around 1904, the building served as the Master Mechanics Office for the adjoining roundhouse.
The roundhouse was demolished in 1964, along with the machine shop, ice houses and coal tower. The Allandale train station, taken over by Canadian National Railway in 1922 following the bankruptcy of the GTR, remained in use until 1993. The Master Mechanics Office was restored in 2004 for use as a community centre, with an addition added to the north side of the building, featuring large windows that provide panoramic views of Kempenfelt Bay and downtown Barrie on the far side of bay.
The General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre has been a popular venue for weddings, receptions and other special events for the past two decades and counting. The lower level is used by the Barrie Canoe Club and Barrie Rowing Club.
Brigadier-General John Hayter, CD
Brigadier Charles Hayter served in the Canadian Forces from 1951 to 2009, joining Barrie-based The Grey and Simcoe Foresters in 1952 at 18-years-old. Brigadier Hayter commenced officer training at Camp Borden and upon graduation, headed overseas to take part in the Korean War.
Brigadier Hayter has been an active volunteer for over 50 years, holding various leadership positions at the local, national and international levels with various organizations. Locally, Brigadier Hayter has volunteered with like Saint John Ambulance, the Veterans’ Club of Barrie, and St. George’s Church Allandale.
He also played a pivotal role in the establishment of Canada’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa.
Sources: General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre | City of Barrie, Southshore Community Centre |, Southshore Community Centre | The Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia.
