The Town of Bracebridge renewed its five-year fundraising partnership with the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation (SMHF), extending the Best Seat in the House and Buy a Bay fundraising programs through to 2030.
During a March 3 general committee meeting, council voted in favour of continuing the partnership, adding the fundraising programs were very successful in securing financial support from the Bracebridge community towards the capital costs of the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre. The motion was ratified by council on March 11.
“It’s wonderful. The South Muskoka Hospital Foundation is a great partner and obviously has a great reach across our communities. So, it’s another great partner to have in helping us fundraise,” said Deputy Mayor Brenda Rhodes.
The Best Seat in the House program helps the town offset the costs of constructing the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre and the Coulson Family Bracebridge Library by selling seats. For $500, individuals, families, or businesses can sponsor one of the 1,020 seats in the Muskoka Lumber Arena.
The Buy a Bay fundraiser is designed to directly support literacy, learning, and essential community resources, including the library’s makerspace and recording studio. For $250, supporters can sponsor one of more than 80 library bookshelves (bays).
In addition, 15 per cent of all seat sales proceeds and bay purchases are donated to the SMHF to fund critical medical equipment.
According to a report, the fundraising partnership agreement between the Town and the Foundation expired in August, 2024. At that time, 424 seats and 80 book bays had been committed. As a result, nearly 600 seats and 250 book bays remain available to be claimed under the renewed program.
The report states the Town generated $28,272 in net revenue from the programs between August 1, 2024, and February 19, 2026. This total includes 31 new seat sales and ongoing payments from plans established before the programs expired in 2024.
On April 12, Mayor Maloney presented a cheque for $4,240.87 to Tammy Selkirk of the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation. Officials said the cheque represents the foundation’s share of funds collected since the previous agreement expired and marks the relaunch and next phase of the program.
