Tiny Voices – Episode 1: A Smarter Way Forward for Tiny Township
In the first episode of Tiny Voices, we sit down with Andrew (Drew) Ironstone, a retired senior manager from Simcoe County, to discuss the Stop the Build campaign and why he and many others believe the proposed new administrative centre is prohibitively expensive and unnecessary. With his extensive background in municipal operations, Ironstone provides an insider’s perspective on the financial, logistical, and strategic missteps of the current plan and presents alternative solutions that he believes offer a more practical and cost-effective path forward for Tiny Township.
TinyTRA
1/23/20252 min read
What’s Wrong with the Current Plan?
During our discussion in this debut podcast for TinyTRA- Tiny Voices, Drew Ironstone outlines the major flaws in the Township’s proposed new administrative centre. He explains why he and other opponents believe the project’s excessive cost, questionable necessity, and impact on taxpayers make it an impractical choice. He argues that the financial strain of the new build could have long-term consequences for the community and that the project does not represent the best use of public funds—especially when other pressing priorities exist. Ironstone also challenges the assumption that the current administrative building has been neglected, citing the Gordian Report as evidence that maintenance has been sufficient and that the real issue is strategic planning, not disrepair.
Alternative Solutions That Make Sense
Rather than pushing forward with an expensive new facility, Ironstone presents two alternative solutions that have already been proposed to council and, in his view, offer a better way forward.
1. The Campus Model – Smart Expansion Without Costly Retrofitting
One alternative Ironstone discusses is a campus model, which would involve constructing a new structure on the grounds of the existing administrative centre. He explains that this solution avoids the need to retrofit the current building—an upgrade that would be extremely costly due to modern building code requirements. By maximizing the use of existing land, this approach would provide a functional and efficient solution at a significantly lower cost than building an entirely new administrative centre elsewhere.
2. The Balm Beach Opportunity – A Missed Chance for More Public Waterfront Access
Another proposal Ironstone highlights is the potential acquisition of the property at 20 Tiny Beaches Road North, located adjacent to the public beaches at Balm Beach. He describes how this $2.7 million property could serve as a social and recreational hub, aligning with council’s mission to expand community services. More importantly, acquiring this property would open up additional beachfront for public access, an issue that has been a priority for many residents. Despite its clear benefits, Ironstone expresses frustration that this proposal was ignored by council. However, he emphasizes that this is not a lost opportunity—the property is still for sale, but every dollar allocated to the administrative centre project is a dollar that could instead be invested in expanding public beach access.
What’s Next?
Is there a better way forward for Tiny Township? Ironstone believes so. He stresses that by prioritizing community needs and making fiscally responsible choices, the Township can invest in projects that better serve residents without unnecessary financial burden.
