Springwater, Ontario

{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Springwater |official_name = Township of Springwater |settlement_type = Township (lower-tier) |native_name = |nickname = |motto = |image_skyline = Elmvale ON.JPG |image_caption = Elmvale |image_flag = |image_seal = |image_map = |pushpin_map = CAN ON Simcoe#Canada Southern Ontario |pushpin_map_caption = |coordinates = {{coord|44|26|N|79|44|W|region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}} |mapsize = |map_caption = |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_type1 = Province |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name = {{flagu|Canada}} |subdivision_name1 = {{ON}} |subdivision_name2 = Simcoe |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = Jennifer Coughlin |leader_title1 = MPs |leader_name1 = Doug Shipley |leader_title2 = MPPs |leader_name2 = Doug Downey |established_title = Settled |established_date = |established_title2 = Formed |established_date2 = 1994 |established_title3 = |established_date3 = |area_magnitude = |area_footnotes = <ref name="SCref21"/> |area_total_km2 = |area_land_km2 = 535.85 |area_water_km2 = |area_water_percent = |population_as_of = 2021 |population_note = |population_footnotes = <ref name="SCref21"/> |population_total = 21701 |population_density_km2 = 40.5 |timezone = Eastern (EST) |utc_offset = −5 |timezone_DST = EDT |utc_offset_DST = −4 |elevation_m = |postal_code_type = Postal code FSA |postal_code = L0L & L9X |area_codes = 705, 249 |website = {{Official URL}} |footnotes = }}

'''Springwater''' is a township in central Ontario, Canada, in Simcoe County, near Barrie. It is the county seat of Simcoe County.

==History== Prior to European settlement, Ossossane, the largest Wendat settlement and capital of the confederacy was located near modern-day Elmvale.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sultzman |first1=Lee |title=Huron History |url=http://www.tolatsga.org/hur.html |access-date=October 2, 2020}}</ref>

Springwater was formed on January 1, 1994, through the amalgamation of Flos and Vespra Townships, together with the Villages of Elmvale and Hillsdale, as well as a portion of the former Medonte Township.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guide to Municipal Dates of Incorporation |url=https://simcoe.ca/simcoe-county-archives-blog/guide-to-municipal-dates-of-incorporation/ |website=Simcoe County |publisher=simcoe.ca |access-date=7 April 2026}}</ref>

In 2026, two portions the township were annexed by the City of Barrie, with Barrie absorbing the community of '''Crown Hill'''. As part of the agreement, the City of Barrie will service the area between the annexed portions (centred on Highway 26) with its municipal water and sewer systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.barrie.ca/planning-building-infrastructure/boundary-expansion|title=Boundary Expansion |website=Barrie.ca|access-date=March 6, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://barrie360.com/springwater-barrie-land-services/ |title=Springwater, Barrie swap potential: Land in exchange for services|website=barrie360.com|access-date=March 6, 2026}}</ref>

==Communities== '''Anten Mills''' is centred on the intersection of Horseshoe Valley Road West (formally County Road 22) and Wilson Drive (formally the 7th Concession of Vespra), {{convert|15|km}} northwest of Barrie. The community derived its name from a well-known mill operating in the area in the late 1800s. The first syllables of this firm's name, after its owners Charles Anderson and a Mr. Tennant, were merged to create the word Anten.<ref name=waynecook>{{cite web |url=http://www.waynecook.com/hunter.shtml |title=A Voice From The Past: Transcript of Andrew Hunter's History of Simcoe County (1909) |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112195956/http://www.waynecook.com/hunter.shtml |archive-date= 12 January 2017 |last=Cook |first=Wayne |access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref> Country music star Jason McCoy grew up in Anten Mills.

Most of the workforce living in Anten Mills are employed in nearby Barrie. The area surrounding Anten Mills is predominantly either farm or crown land; however, golf courses, ski resorts and hiking trails also dot the landscape.

Some {{Convert|25|km}} northwest of Anten Mills is Wasaga Beach, a popular summer tourist attraction.

'''Elmvale''' is located at the intersection of County Road 27 (formerly Highway 27) and County Road 92 (Queen Street). The Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival, established in 1966, draws thousands of visitors each year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elmvalemaplesyrup.ca/ |title=Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival Official Website |access-date=28 February 2014}}</ref> Elmvale was home to 2,369 people in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=POPC&Code1=0259&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |title=Statistics Canada Census Profile |date=8 February 2012 |access-date=28 February 2014}}</ref> It is the site of the Elmvale Jungle Zoo.

thumb|Aerial photo of a portion of Hillsdale '''Hillsdale''' is located on Highway 93 a short distance north of Highway 400. It was founded as the half-way point between Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay. It was the site of the Simcoe House Hotel (now abandoned). Hillsdale is home to approximately 1,000 people.

'''Midhurst''' is the largest population centre in the township. It is home to the Barrie Baycats of the Intercounty Baseball League. A tree nursery operated here that supplied trees for the province.

'''Minesing''' is a community near the Nottawasaga River on Highway 26, northwest of Barrie. The community holds two major events every year, one in the late winter called Mini-fest,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.minesing.ca/Mini-Fest.php|title=Minesing Mini-Fest|website=www.minesing.ca|access-date=2018-01-19}}</ref> and a slow-pitch tournament that falls on Labour Day weekend.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.minesing.ca/Labour_Day_Baseball.php|title=Minesing Labour Day Baseball Tournament|website=www.minesing.ca|access-date=2018-01-19}}</ref> The community is the birthplace of Frank Foyston and is home to musician Jason McCoy. It has a small school known as Minesing Central Public School. The nearby Minesing Wetlands is an internationally recognized wetland of significant biological importance. Simcoe County Museum is located here.

Along with the main centres of Anten Hills, Crown Hill, Elmvale, Hillsdale, Midhurst and Minesing, the township contains the communities of Allenwood, Apto, Craighurst, Crossland, Dalston, Edenvale, Fergusonvale, Grenfel, Hendrie, Langman, New Flos, Orr Lake, Phelpston, Sandy Beach, Saurin, Snow Valley, Vespra Village, Strongville and Vigo. Two former ghost communities, called Josephine and McKinnon, existed in the Minesing Swamp within the township's borders.

== Demographics == In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Springwater had a population of {{val|21701|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|7516|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|7845|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:21701-19059}}|19059|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|19059|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|535.85|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|21701|535.85|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=SCref21/> {{Canada census |2021_population=21,701 | 2021_pop_delta=+13.9 | 2021_land_area=535.85 | 2021_pop_density=40.5 |2021_median_age=43.2 | 2021_median_age_m=42.8 | 2021_median_age_f=43.2 |2021_total_pvt_dwell=7,845 |2021_occ_pvt_dwell=7,516 | 2021_mean_hh_income=122,000 |2021_geocode=2021A00053543009 |2021_access_date=2026-04-07

|2016_population=19,059 | 2016_pop_delta=+4.6 | 2016_land_area=536.28 | 2016_pop_density=35.5 |2016_median_age=43.4 | 2016_median_age_m=43.0 | 2016_median_age_f=43.7 |2016_total_pvt_dwell=7,234 | 2016_mean_hh_income=99,553 | 2016_access_date=2019-07-03 |2011_population=18,223 | 2011_pop_delta=+4.4 | 2011_land_area=536.23 | 2011_pop_density=34.0 |2011_median_age= | 2011_median_age_m= | 2011_median_age_f= |2011_total_pvt_dwell=6,691 | 2011_mean_hh_income= | 2011_access_date=2012-03-07 |2006_population=17,456 | 2006_pop_delta=+8.4 | 2006_land_area=536.30 | 2006_pop_density=32.5 |2006_median_age=40.8 | 2006_median_age_m=40.6 | 2006_median_age_f=41.0 |2006_total_pvt_dwell=6,361 | 2006_mean_hh_income=77,835 | 2006_access_date=2012-03-07 |2001_population=16,104 | 2001_pop_delta=+8.9 | 2001_land_area=536.30 | 2001_pop_density=30.0 |2001_median_age=37.9 | 2001_median_age_m=37.8 | 2001_median_age_f=37.9 |2001_total_pvt_dwell=6,214 | 2001_mean_hh_income=63,672 | 2001_access_date=2012-03-07 }}

{{Historical populations |title = {{Nowrap|Historical census populations –}} Springwater, Ontario |align = none |cols = |width = 18em |footnote = |source = Statistics Canada<ref name=SCref21/><ref name="census2016"/><ref name="cp2011a"/> | 1996 |14793 | 2001 |16104 | 2006 |17456 | 2011 |18223 | 2016 |19059 | 2021 |21701 }}

==Government== Springwater is governed by a seven-person elected Council; a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and five Ward Councillors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.springwater.ca/en/township-hall/mayor-and-council.aspx |website=Township of Springwater|title=Mayor and Council |date=12 January 2023 }}</ref> The council is currently comprised by:

* Mayor: Jennifer Coughlin<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.springwater.ca/en/township-hall/mayor-and-council.aspx#Mayor-Jennifer-Coughlin|title=Mayor and Council |date=12 January 2023 }}</ref> * Deputy Mayor: George Cabral<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.springwater.ca/en/township-hall/mayor-and-council.aspx#Deputy-Mayor-George-Cabral|title=Mayor and Council |date=12 January 2023 }}</ref> * Ward 1 Councillor: Matt Garwood<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.springwater.ca/en/township-hall/mayor-and-council.aspx#Ward-1-Councillor-Matt-Garwood|title=Mayor and Council |date=12 January 2023 }}</ref> * Ward 2 Councillor: Danielle Alexander<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.springwater.ca/en/township-hall/mayor-and-council.aspx#Ward-2-Councillor-Danielle-Alexander|title=Mayor and Council |date=12 January 2023 }}</ref> * Ward 3 Councillor: Brad Thompson<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.springwater.ca/en/township-hall/mayor-and-council.aspx#Ward-3-Councillor-Brad-Thompson|title=Mayor and Council |date=12 January 2023 }}</ref> * Ward 4 Councillor: Anita Moore<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.springwater.ca/en/township-hall/mayor-and-council.aspx#Ward-4-Councillor-Anita-Moore|title=Mayor and Council |date=12 January 2023 }}</ref> * Ward 5 Councillor: Phil Fisher<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.springwater.ca/en/township-hall/mayor-and-council.aspx#Ward-5-Councillor-Phil-Fisher|title=Mayor and Council |date=12 January 2023 }}</ref>

===Committees===

Springwater also has a number of committees that advise Council on more specific issues.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.springwater.ca/en/township-hall/committees-and-boards.aspx | title=Committees and Boards | date=24 February 2023 }}</ref>

The Springwater Public Library Board consists of Jane Cocking, Jennifer St-Onge, Evan Chen Adrian Graham, Robert Sturgess, and Stephen Ouderkirk.<ref>[https://springwater.civicweb.net/FileStorage/724F5A62FFAB42468C72CFD3468F66D2-2022-096.pdf The Corporation of the Township of Springwater By-law 2022-096] springwater.civicweb.net</ref>

The Committee of Adjustment consists of Henry Vander Wielen, Brad Sokach, Michael Douglas, Wanda Maw-Chapman (chair) and Steven Farquharson (Vice Chair).<ref>[https://springwater.civicweb.net/FileStorage/27470F0AFAD448E7A2EDC2317431ED70-2022-097.pdf The Corporation of the Township of Springwater By-law 2022-097] springwater.civicweb.net</ref>

The Agricultural Advisory Committee consists of James Drury, Mark Priest (chair),<ref>{{Cite web |title=the Township of Springwater – Meeting Information |url=https://springwater.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=1831 |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=springwater.civicweb.net}}</ref> Matt Ververs, and Wanda Maw-Chapman.<ref name="springwater.civicweb.net">[https://springwater.civicweb.net/FileStorage/350B123AAEA04DC3B968D44A496D9D57-2022-093.pdf The Corporation of the Township of Springwater By-law 2022-093] springwater.civicweb.net</ref>

The Cultural and Heritage Advisory Committee consists of Hale Mahon (chair),<ref>{{Cite web |title=the Township of Springwater – Meeting Information |url=https://springwater.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=1805 |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=springwater.civicweb.net}}</ref> Donna Kenwell, Greg Barker, Catherine Czajkowski, Joan Gannon, and James Crawford.<ref name="springwater.civicweb.net"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=the Township of Springwater - Meeting Information |url=https://springwater.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=1786 |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=springwater.civicweb.net}}</ref>

The member representing Springwater on the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee is Caleb Brohm.<ref name="springwater.civicweb.net"/> ==See also== *List of townships in Ontario

==References== <references> <ref name=SCref21>{{SCref |year=2021 |unit=csd |code={{#property:P3012}} |access-date=2026-04-07}}</ref> <ref name="census2016">{{cite web |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census: Springwater, Township | date=8 February 2017 |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3543009&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&SearchText=springwater&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |publisher=Statistics Canada |access-date=July 3, 2019}}</ref> <ref name="cp2011a">{{cite web |url=http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3543009&Geo2=CD&Code2=3543&Data=Count&SearchText=Springwater&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |title=Springwater census profile |publisher=Statistics Canada |work=2011 Census of Population |access-date=2012-03-07}}</ref> </references>

==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{official website|http://www.springwater.ca}}

{{Geographic location | Centre = Springwater | North = Tiny | Northeast = Tay | East = Oro-Medonte | Southeast = Barrie | South = Essa | Southwest = | West = Wasaga Beach<br/>Clearview | Northwest = }} {{Simcoe County}}

Category:Lower-tier municipalities in Ontario Category:Municipalities in Simcoe County Category:Township municipalities in Ontario