Ontario Construction News staff writer
A redevelopment of the former Memorial Arena site in downtown Bracebridge will deliver 103 rental units across two buildings, with occupancy planned by the end of 2028.
A groundbreaking ceremony launched the next phase of the project, following the signing of a Master Agreement between the Town of Bracebridge, District Municipality of Muskoka, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North and Greystone Project Management Inc.
The development will include a six-storey building with 82 rental units owned and operated by the District and a four-storey building with 21 units owned and operated by Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North.
One-third of the units will be accessible or barrier-free, while the remaining units will be designed to accommodate future accessibility needs. Space for children’s programming is also planned for the ground floor.
The District is seeking federal and provincial funding to increase the proportion of units available at affordable or deeply affordable rents. The development is part of its Big Move on Housing initiative.
Habitat’s building will be developed through its Generation Homes initiative, which combines market and affordable rental housing to address housing needs while supporting the organization’s affordable homeownership programs. One-quarter of the units in the building will be affordable.
The project originated with a Request for Proposals issued by the town in January 2025 for redevelopment of the vacant municipal property. Proposals were required to align with the objectives of the town’s Downtown Master Plan, including adding housing in the downtown area.
The partnership’s proposal was conditionally awarded in March 2026. The town committed to donating the land to support affordable rental housing, while the partners worked to meet the conditions of the award.
“Today marks an important moment for Bracebridge,” Mayor Rick Maloney said. “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.”
Greystone Project Management chief operating officer Jon Morton said the partnership would help advance the development and support the downtown and the broader community.
Project updates are available through the town’s public engagement website at engagebracebridge.ca/memorial-arena-site-redevelopment.
