The small community of Borden is home to the largest Canadian military training base in Canada employing thousands of military personnel and civilians. Military personnel relocating to the base have specialized relocation services that aim to make relocating efficient and easy. There is limited military housing on the base, therefore some personnel must seek housing in nearby towns or cities.
The base provides many services and amenities for military personnel and their families. They offer a variety of recreation and fitness programs for adults which include group fitness classes, rock climbing, and personal training. They’ve also organized a variety of drop-in sports such as drop-in volleyball and basketball times as well as organized recreational sports leagues for women and men. Some of the sports leagues include slo-pitch, hockey, soccer, and badminton.
For those who enjoy golfing, there is a golf course on the base that’s also open to the public. The Borden Golf Club is a beautiful 18-hole course that’s surrounded by scenic views of forested land. This course is challenging with fast greens and many added sand pits and rough areas. The Circled Pine Bowling Centre is also located on the base and is open to the public as well. This is a popular spot, especially on weekends so you usually must book your lane prior to going. Lastly, the Andy Anderson Arena hosts a variety of shinny ice and free skating sessions. This is a great way for families within the community to spend time together and do something that’s active and stress-free.
Not only do they offer a variety of adult programs, they also offer youth classes and programs on-site as well. Some of their youth programs include gymnastics, dance, basketball, and taekwondo. Other family entertainment includes visiting Wagoner’s Park. Wagoner’s Park is a great place for outdoor fun especially during the summer months as there is a splash pad there as well as a playground and plenty of green space for kids to play and enjoy.
The community of Borden offers a couple of on-site school options as well. Elementary school students will attend the Marguerite-Bourgeois Elementary Catholic School or Academie La Pinede. Students in high school will attend Nottawasaga Pines Secondary School in the nearby community of Angus.
If you’re interested in venturing outside the community, Essa Township has plenty of outdoor activities to offer. The Simcoe County Forests Foster Tract is a walking trail just a 10-minute drive away that has a few different networks of trails to choose from that take you through dense forests filled with natural beauty. The township of Essa is also home to four designated fishing parks scattered throughout the town that are enjoyed by hundreds of fishing enthusiasts each year.
All shopping must be done outside of the community in the nearby Angus. Sobey’s or No Frills will satisfy any of your grocery needs, as well as provide many options for quick gas fill-ups. The Huron Club is a local restaurant to Borden that provides a welcoming and casual atmosphere to enjoy a night out. The menu gets high reviews from locals and there’s always some great entertainment.
Base Borden is mainly populated by current and retired military personnel, but some areas are open to the public. If you’re military personnel relocating here or thinking about relocating here, this is a tight-knit community to live within and has plenty to offer personnel and their families.
-The BDAR Team