The redevelopment of the former Bracebridge Memorial Arena site is moving forward and is now ready for construction.
Town officials and community partners gathered at the site on Oct. 8 for a groundbreaking ceremony marking the next phase of a major housing development in downtown Bracebridge.
Officials said the project, a collaboration between the District Municipality of Muskoka, the Town of Bracebridge, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North and Greystone Project Management Inc., will transform the vacant property into two apartment buildings offering a mix of market-rate and affordable rental units.
“Redeveloping the former Memorial Arena lands is a strong example of what can be achieved when public, private and not-for-profit partners come together around a shared priority,” said Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney. “We are proud to see this partnership move ahead and look forward to continuing the work to create more affordable and attainable housing for current and future residents.”
According to officials, the project will deliver 103 rental units across two buildings, one owned and operated by the District and the other by Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North, with occupancy expected by the end of 2028.
Staff said the District-owned building will be six storeys and include 82 rental units as part of the District’s Big Move on Housing initiative, offering a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
District officials said at least 25 per cent of the building’s units will be offered at affordable rents, one-third will be accessible or barrier-free, and the remaining units may be available at low- to modest-market rental rates.
Additionally, staff said the District is seeking federal and provincial funding to increase the proportion of units that can be offered at affordable or deeply affordable rents.
Habitat for Humanity officials said its four-storey building will include 21 rental units, 25 per cent of which will be offered at affordable rents.
Organization officials said the building will be part of their Generation Homes initiatives, which seek to address critical housing needs while also creating affordable homeownership opportunities.
For more information about the project, click here.
