In its commitment to the community, Georgian International and a handful of local donors helped fund the $660,000 in investment capital required to create ‘The Circle at the Centre’ at Barrie’s City Hall – a once barren municipal courtyard that is now a vibrant public skating rink during the winter months and a scenic fountain and reflecting pond throughout the summer. GI in concert with the City of Barrie, local businesses and project volunteers worked together to keep costs down and fundraising efforts up. Construction expenses were passed on with no mark-ups and most materials and labour were either donated or provided at cost, proving to the public that big ideas can be borne from relatively small budgets, and everyone benefits.