QUOTES

“Today is truly a game-changer for our city. The opening of the Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub is a major investment in our future and an important step in advancing Barrie’s emerging education district. With hundreds of students now studying downtown, we are bringing more people, more activity and more opportunity to the heart of our city. I look forward to seeing the incredible impact the Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub will have on our community.”

- Alex Nuttall, Mayor of the City of Barrie

“With the opening of the Barrie STEM Hub, we’re establishing the first university campus in Barrie–a history-making moment for the City of Barrie and for Lakehead University. At its heart, the STEM Hub is about creating opportunities for students. It’s about building stronger connections between education and industry and ensuring that talented young people have the opportunity to learn, stay, build careers and contribute to the communities around them. An immeasurable amount of work has gone into preparing the Barrie STEM Hub to welcome our first cohort of students in just a few weeks, and today, we’re incredibly proud to officially open the doors to this exciting new chapter.”

- Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University

Lakehead and City of Barrie Announce Second Site for Barrie STEM Hub

Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont. - Lakehead University is expanding its footprint in downtown Barrie with the addition of 5 Ross Street as a second location for the Barrie STEM Hub, opening later this year.

Beginning in fall 2026, students will study for in-demand careers in engineering or computer science at the STEM Hub’s two locations downtown: 24 Maple Avenue and 5 Ross Street.

“This marks another incredible milestone for Lakehead University, as we continue to establish our university presence in Barrie,” said Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor. “With the support of Mayor Alex Nuttall and the City of Barrie, we are building a modern, purpose-built environment for our students that is perfectly designed for hands-on learning and applied research.”

The new location at 5 Ross Street will support flexible classrooms and active learning spaces, student services and social spaces, as well as graduate student offices. The first floor at 24 Maple Avenue will house specialized research and teaching laboratories, including multiple advanced labs focused on Motors and Robotics, Machines, Instrumentation, and Mechatronics.

“We are providing high-quality classrooms, high-tech labs, student services spaces, and social areas that our students deserve, right from the start,” she said, noting the finalized academic plan for the Barrie STEM Hub includes 27,200 sq. ft. of teaching, learning and research space.

As one of the fastest growing municipalities in Ontario and one of the few among the 25 urban growth centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe without a university campus, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall is happy to see this unique partnership come to fruition.

“The expansion of Lakehead University’s presence downtown is a major win for Barrie,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “This second STEM Hub location not only brings new energy to our core, but also enhances the student experience by creating vibrant, modern spaces to learn, collaborate, and connect. It’s an investment in our students, our businesses, and the future of our city.”

Together with Georgian College, Lakehead University is re-energizing the downtown core and building an interconnected ecosystem where students can study locally for in-demand careers in engineering, mechatronics, and computer science. “By creating new pathways for local learners and new talent pipelines for local employers, we are helping build a stronger, more resilient regional economy,” explained Dr. Siddall.

In December 2024, the City of Barrie Council approved a plan to partner with Lakehead to bring the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Hub to downtown Barrie. Delivering engineering and computer science programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, the STEM Hub will create a pipeline of skilled workers ready to join in-demand industries, especially in STEM fields.

The Barrie STEM Hub will open in fall 2026. Applications are now open.

Find out more at www.lakeheadu.ca/about/barrie-stem-hub.

Keywords: