West Ridge is the growing neighbourhood on Orillia's west side, built around West Ridge Boulevard between Highway 12 and Lakehead University's Orillia campus. It combines newer homes, a major retail area and quick highway access, and more is planned: a new hotel, a large new subdivision and, on nearby university lands, the preferred site for Orillia's new hospital. If you are thinking of buying there, the first decision is usually whether to buy new from a builder or buy a resale home. This guide covers both.
West Ridge is Orillia's growing west end, with a major retail area, Costco nearby, Lakehead University's Orillia campus and quick access to Highway 12. A new hotel, a 1,065-home subdivision and the preferred site for Orillia's new hospital are planned nearby. If you are buying, decide early between a new build (Tarion warranty, HST rebates, a builder's agreement) and a resale home (a sooner closing, and usually no HST).
Where is West Ridge?
West Ridge sits in west Orillia. A 2021 commercial study for the Trailside neighbourhood plan describes the West Ridge shopping area as one of Orillia's major retail nodes, bounded by Highway 12, Monarch Drive and West Ridge Boulevard (urbanMetrics inc., 2021). Highway 11 lies a short drive east. The newest planned neighbourhood, West Ridge Trailside, lies north of the Lakehead University campus and south of Bass Lake Side Road East (City of Orillia, 2026c).
What is in West Ridge now?
What makes the area work, in my view, is how much sits close together:
- Shopping: West Ridge is one of Orillia's major retail areas, with national chain stores (urbanMetrics inc., 2021). Costco is nearby on University Avenue (Costco Wholesale Canada, n.d.).
- Highway access: Highway 12 runs along the area (urbanMetrics inc., 2021), and Highway 11 is a short drive east.
- Lakehead University: the Orillia campus is on University Avenue and remains open (Lakehead University, n.d.).
- Recreation: Rotary Place, the City's twin-pad arena, is also on University Avenue (City of Orillia, n.d.).
In my view, few parts of Orillia bring shopping, highway access, a university campus and new investment together the way West Ridge does.
See homes for sale in West Ridge
What is planned for West Ridge and the west end?
Several projects are in the works. Each is at a different stage, so here is exactly where they stand as of this writing.
A new Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital
- The site: a 25-acre parcel on the south side of the Lakehead University campus was selected as the preferred site in May 2025 (Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, 2025, 2026).
- The stage: in June 2026 the project moved into the functional program stage of provincial planning, and the Province put up an "Ontario Builds" sign at the site (Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, 2026).
- What is still to be settled: the hospital says moving to a committed site depends on resolving an existing land use restriction, and that its current estimate for the new hospital is 2036 (Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, n.d.). In August 2026, City council directed staff to get independent legal advice on the final agreements for the University Avenue lands (City of Orillia, 2026a).
A new hotel on West Ridge Boulevard
A five-storey, 96-room Holiday Inn Express is planned for West Ridge Boulevard. The City granted conditional site plan approval in August 2026, and the project still needs its final approvals and building permits (Dawson, 2026).
West Ridge Trailside
In January 2026, City council approved a draft plan of subdivision for Trailside, allowing for a total of 1,065 homes, subject to conditions (City of Orillia, 2026b). In my experience, a subdivision at this stage is built in phases over several years.
These are plans, not guarantees, and timelines can change. If a project matters to your decision, check its current status with the City or the hospital before you buy.
New build or resale: which is right for you?
Both can be a good choice. The differences are in warranty, taxes, timing and the contract.
Buying new from a builder
Tarion warranty. Every new home in Ontario comes with Tarion warranty coverage (Tarion, n.d.-e):
- One year: workmanship and materials, Ontario Building Code violations, and fitness for habitation.
- Two years: water getting in through the basement, foundation or building envelope, plus electrical, plumbing and heating systems.
- Seven years: major structural defects.
The pre-delivery inspection (PDI). Before you take possession, the builder walks you through the home (Tarion, n.d.-c). Record everything you see. After that, Tarion's claim forms run on set dates: an Initial Form, a Mid-Year Form, a Year-End Form and a Second-Year Form (Tarion, n.d.-a).
HST and rebates. HST is built into most new-home prices, and rebates can be significant if you will live in the home:
- Ontario's temporary rebate: for builder agreements signed from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, Ontario's enhanced new housing rebate and the Ontario New Home Affordability Payment can together relieve the full 13% HST on a new home up to $1 million, up to $130,000 (Government of Ontario, 2026; Canada Revenue Agency, 2026c). This is not limited to first-time buyers.
- The federal first-time home buyers' rebate: up to $50,000 of the federal portion for eligible first-time buyers (Canada Revenue Agency, 2026a).
- The standard new housing rebates also continue (Canada Revenue Agency, 2026b).
These rebates overlap rather than stack. The Ontario payment is reduced by any federal rebate you claim, so the combined relief on a home up to $1 million is the full 13% HST, up to $130,000 (Government of Ontario, 2026).
These rebates generally require the home to be your primary residence, and each has its own conditions and dates. Ask your lawyer and the builder how they apply to your agreement.
Closing dates and extra charges. Every new freehold agreement includes Tarion's Addendum with a Statement of Critical Dates. Builders can extend a tentative closing date within set limits, and if a firm closing date is missed, you may be entitled to delayed closing compensation of up to $7,500 (Tarion, n.d.-b). Only the items listed in the agreement's schedule can be added as adjustments on closing (Tarion, 2020), so read that schedule carefully before you sign.
Cooling-off. In my experience, many buyers expect a cooling-off period on a new home. For freehold homes, Tarion describes two limited ones: three business days when the builder includes early termination conditions, and 10 days when project viability conditions are included (Tarion, n.d.-b). Otherwise, plan on your agreement being binding once signed, and have your lawyer review it first.
Buying a resale home in West Ridge
Many West Ridge homes are recent enough to still have part of their Tarion coverage. Coverage runs from the first owner's possession date, even if the home is sold, but it does not transfer automatically. A later owner must contact Tarion to take it over (Tarion, n.d.-e; Tarion, n.d.-d).
With a resale home, you see the finished house and the street as they are, you can usually close sooner, and sales of used owner-occupied homes are usually exempt from HST (Canada Revenue Agency, 2017). A home inspection is still worth doing, even on a five-year-old house, and ask the seller for any open Tarion claims.
Why use your own real estate agent to buy a new home?
In my experience, the sales team at a builder's sales centre works for the builder. Having your own representation means someone is looking at the purchase from your side:
- The agreement: builder agreements are long. Your agent goes through the Statement of Critical Dates, the adjustments schedule and what you can change, and your lawyer reviews the agreement too.
- Price and value: your agent can compare the builder's price with resale homes nearby, and help you ask about upgrades or incentives where a builder offers them.
- The PDI and warranty dates: a second set of experienced eyes at the walk-through, and reminders of the claim deadlines.
- Your first visit: some builders only work with an agent who was with you or registered on your first visit to the sales centre. Ask before you go.
Under Ontario's rules, a brokerage acts for you as a client, and a representation agreement must be in writing before you make an offer (Real Estate Council of Ontario, 2026; O. Reg. 567/05, s. 13.6). See my guide to buyer representation agreements.
Common questions
Where is West Ridge in Orillia?
On the west side of the city, around West Ridge Boulevard, between Highway 12 and Lakehead University's Orillia campus, with Highway 11 a short drive east.
Is a new hospital being built in West Ridge?
The preferred site for the new Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital is on Lakehead University lands on University Avenue, next to West Ridge. The hospital says the site still depends on resolving a land use restriction, and its current estimate for the new hospital is 2036.
Do new homes in Orillia come with a warranty?
Yes. New homes in Ontario are covered by Tarion: one year for workmanship and materials, two years for water penetration and major systems, and seven years for major structural defects.
Is there HST relief on a new home in Ontario?
For builder agreements signed from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, Ontario's temporary rebates can relieve the full 13% HST on a new home up to $1 million that will be your primary residence, up to $130,000. Conditions apply.
Can I back out of buying a new home in Ontario?
For a new freehold home, only in limited cases. Tarion describes a three-business-day period when the builder includes early termination conditions, and 10 days when project viability conditions are included. Have your lawyer review the agreement before you sign.
Thinking about West Ridge?
Whether you are comparing a builder's model home with a resale on the next street, or wondering what your own West Ridge home is worth, I am happy to help. You can see homes for sale in West Ridge, request a home value estimate or read more about Orillia real estate.