Carnegie Library Reuse Project

The Town of Bracebridge is renovating the historic Carnegie building at 94 Manitoba Street to give the building a new purpose following the relocation of the Bracebridge Library to the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre in 2024.

The renovated building will bring municipal and business support services together in a central downtown location, while continuing to preserve the building’s important heritage character.

The building will accommodate the Town’s Planning and Development Department and a new Bracebridge Business Development Centre, bringing together,

• Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce
• Downtown Bracebridge Business Improvement Area
• Muskoka Small Business Centre
• Visitor Information Centre

The goal is to create a more connected and accessible hub for businesses, entrepreneurs, visitors and the broader downtown community. The project scope and intended occupants were established through previous Council decisions and subsequent planning with the participating organizations.

Bringing these organizations together in one downtown location will create more opportunities for collaboration and make it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to connect with the resources and support available in Bracebridge.

The central location will also help strengthen the connection between business-support services and the downtown business community.

The Carnegie building is a municipally owned heritage building that has played an important public role in downtown Bracebridge since it was built in 1906.

The Downtown Master Plan, which included extensive public consultation, identified strong public preference for the building to remain in the Town’s possession to preserve its heritage character and public role in the downtown. Following the relocation of the Bracebridge Library to the Coulson Family Bracebridge Library at the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre in 2024, the Town began exploring opportunities to give the building a new purpose while maintaining its public role in the downtown.

Council approved retaining the property in municipal ownership and repurposing it for municipal operations and business-support services.

Yes. The Carnegie building is a designated heritage property. A heritage consultant has been involved in the project to review the interior design plans and ensure protected heritage features are appropriately considered and preserved during the renovation.

Council has awarded the construction contract to W.S. Morgan Construction Limited.

W.S. Morgan was the highest-ranked compliant bidder through the Town's competitive procurement process. The company has experience with similar projects, including the restoration and renovation of heritage buildings.

Construction is anticipated to begin before the end of 2026, subject to project requirements and construction scheduling.

The construction contract includes an anticipated 20-week construction schedule. Following substantial completion, inspections and occupancy approvals, the building is expected to be ready for occupancy in 2027.