March 16, 2024

For years we used to stop at the entertainment facility just north of Barrie on highway 11 as we made our way back home from Gravenhurst. Usually we would grab a coffee or a snack from McDonalds but this section of the highway used to be known for cheaper gasoline. Therefore, if we had seen cheaper gas on the route north we might stop on the way back home to fill up. The image below shows the site from the air and indicated the location of the Go-Kart Track, the Kids Track, The Coffee Time, McDonalds and the Shell gas station. Other blogs online suggest that the business was closed as a result of Covid restrictions. However, when you look at the historic images on Google Earth there haven’t been cars in the parking lot or on the track since 2016. Reliable information seems to be hard to come by online.

The entrance stands empty and the ticket booth has been boarded up for years now. You used to have to but tickets for individual laps and hand them to the attendant between each round on the track.

The one-kilometre long track loops around itself and speeds of kilometres per hour were advertised. A loop could be done in as little as a minute and a half and cost $5.00. Five laps could be had for $20.00. To ride the adult track you had to be at least 11 years old and 52 inches tall. There were 30 carts, some single seaters and some double. There was also a small mini track with a single cart for those too young to go on the adult track.

The rules are still posted near the gate. They also give the conditions that riders from 8-11 years old must meet. They had to be at least 48″ tall. The kids track is 1/4 kilometre long and has a maximum speed of 16 kilometers per hour. Children between 3 and 8 years old could ride for free as a passenger in a two seater adult kart. Children under three cannot ride on the tracks.

The most prominent feature on the mini golf course is the volcano. The mini golf is getting badly over-run and the carpet on the greens is falling apart.

A Coffee Time drive through used to operate on the north end of the building.

The menu sign is broken away except for one panel announcing a new treat called Maple French Sticks.

A Shell gas station used to operate at the front of the building.

There was also a McDonalds restaurant on the south end of the building for those who wanted a meal either during their stay or just a snack while stopping for gas.

It’s too bad that this facility isn’t operating anymore because over the years thousands of people enjoyed a spin around the track.

Related Stories: North Halton Kart Club

Google Maps Link: Shanty Bay Go Carts

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