Barrie/Little Lake Seaplane Base

Urban encroachment and redevelopment. The primary reason for the closure was the extensive development of the Little Lake shoreline. Key factors include:
1. **Institutional Expansion:** The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) relocated and massively expanded on the north shore of the lake in 1997.
2. **Safety and Noise:** The proximity of the new hospital made seaplane operations undesirable due to noise sensitivity. Furthermore, the establishment of the RVH Heliport (CPW2) created potential airspace conflicts.
3. **Land Use Change:** The surrounding land was developed for the hospital, the expansion of Georgian College, and the creation of public parkland and residential areas, eliminating the land-based infrastructure required for the seaplane base and increasing boat traffic on the lake.

The site of the former seaplane base is now completely redeveloped and unrecognizable as an aviation facility. The coordinates point to the northern shoreline of Little Lake, which is now occupied by public green space, including Little Lake Park and the North Shore Trail. The area is dominated by the campuses of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and Georgian College. The lake itself is used for public recreation such as kayaking, canoeing, and dragon boating.

The Barrie/Little Lake Seaplane Base was a registered water aerodrome that served as a key general aviation facility for Barrie. It provided direct floatplane access to the city and a connection to the Trent-Severn Waterway. Its operations were typical for a southern Ontario seaplane base, focusing on:
- **Commercial Charters:** Operators, most notably Orillia Air Services, used the base for charter flights, providing transportation to remote cottages, lodges, and communities in cottage country.
- **Tourism:** Sightseeing flights over Barrie, Lake Simcoe, and Georgian Bay were a common activity.
- **Recreational Flying:** It was used by private pilots with float-equipped aircraft for recreational purposes.

Zero. There are no plans or prospects for reopening a seaplane base at this location. The high density of institutional, recreational, and residential development makes it entirely unsuitable for aviation operations. Safety concerns, airspace conflicts with the hospital helipad, and noise abatement issues in the highly populated area preclude any possibility of its revival.