The Barrie campus of Georgian College hosted 33 robotics teams from across Ontario during the FIRST Robotics Canada District Competition held from March 27 to March 29, 2026. This year marked the ninth consecutive year the college has hosted the event, which serves as a qualifier for teams looking to advance to the provincial championship.
The 2026 challenge, titled REBUILT presented by Haas, took inspiration from archaeology. Students were tasked with designing and programming robots to complete engineering challenges aimed at reimagining the past and uncovering historical artifacts. The event was made possible through the support of presenting sponsor Honda of Canada Mfg., along with sponsorship from Invest Barrie, Prodomax Automation Ltd., Page Graphics, Black Controls Company Inc., Magna International, and WITRON.
At the conclusion of the event, the winning Red Alliance featured teams ALT-F4 from North York, Blizzard from Toronto, and Gemini Robotics from Tillsonburg. In addition to the competition, the event highlighted the mentorship and leadership of participants. Harrison Storey, a 2025 Georgian College alumnus and mentor for team 9580, received a nomination for the Woody Flowers Award, which recognizes individuals who inspire students through communication and leadership.
The robotics event took place at a time when the college continues to focus on its role as a regional hub for science and technology education. The campus is home to the Peter B. Moore Advanced Technology Centre, a 56,000-square-foot facility featuring labs dedicated to robotics, mechatronics, and manufacturing. As an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, the institution emphasizes social innovation and practical learning to prepare students for future careers.
The top teams from the Barrie event will now move on to the FIRST Ontario Provincial Championship, which is set to take place at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre from April 16 to April 19, 2026.
