Memorial Arena Site Redevelopment Moves Forward
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
BRACEBRIDGE, ON (October 8, 2026) – A ceremonial groundbreaking event took place today marking the next milestone in the Memorial Arena Site Redevelopment project which will transform the vacant property into a new affordable and attainable residential development.
Project partners, the Town of Bracebridge, District Municipality of Muskoka, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North, and Greystone Project Management Inc. came together to celebrate the signing of the Master Agreement and the next phase of a major housing development in downtown Bracebridge.
Redeveloping the former Memorial Arena site will bring much-needed housing to the heart of Bracebridge and support the continued growth and vibrancy of the downtown by expanding housing close to businesses, services, transit and other community amenities.
The project will deliver 103 total residential rental units between two buildings, with occupancy planned by the end of 2028.
District of Muskoka Building
A six-storey building with 82 rental units will be owned and operated by The District Municipality of Muskoka, as part of the District’s Big Move on Housing. This building will feature a mix of apartment sizes from studio to three-bedroom.
Aligning with the District’s priority of creating more safe, attainable, and sustainable housing, at least 25% of the building’s units will have affordable rent. The District is also seeking federal and provincial funding to increase the proportion of units that can be offered at affordable or deeply affordable rents. The other units may be offered at low to modest market rents. A third of the units will be accessible/barrier-free, while the remaining units will be designed to support any future accessibility needs.
The ground floor of the building is planned to include space for children’s programming, with details still being finalized.
To learn more and sign up for building email updates, visit engagemuskoka.ca/bracebridge-affordable-housing-development.
Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North Building
A four-storey building with 21 rental units will be owned and operated by Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North as one of their Generation Homes initiatives, a social enterprise designed to address critical housing needs while also sustaining the Habitat mission of creating affordable homeownership opportunities.
Generation Homes focuses on purpose-built rental housing that blends market and affordable units to strengthen long-term organizational sustainability while expanding access to attainable housing. Of the units in this development, 25% of them will be affordable.
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North, visit habitatgatewaynorth.com.
Community Collaboration
The redevelopment of the former Memorial Arena site is a collaborative public, private and not-for-profit partnership, made possible through an opportunity created by the Town of Bracebridge when it issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in January 2025 seeking redevelopment proposals for the newly vacant municipal property. Proposals were required to align with the vision and objectives established through the Town’s Downtown Master Plan, including the opportunity to bring new housing to the downtown.
The RFP was conditionally awarded in March 2026 to a partnership between Greystone Project Management Inc., The District Municipality of Muskoka and Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North, with the Town committing to donate the lands to support the provision of affordable rental housing in downtown Bracebridge. Since that time, the project partners have worked together to advance the proposed redevelopment and satisfy the conditions of the RFP award. The signing of the Master Agreement between the four parties represents the fulfillment of those conditions and allows the project to move forward into the next phase of development.
For news and updates as the project progresses, subscribe to engagebracebridge.ca/memorial-arena-site-redevelopment.
Quotes
“Today marks an important moment for Bracebridge. 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. 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.”
- Rick Maloney, Mayor, Town of Bracebridge
“Adding more rental housing in downtown Bracebridge gives people the opportunity to live close to jobs, services and the community they are part of. We are putting former public lands back to work, investing in much-needed housing and supporting a stronger downtown. This is what progress on housing looks like: partners working together to turn plans into homes.”
- Jeff Lehman, Chair, District Municipality of Muskoka
“This project shows what can be achieved when municipal, private and non-profit partners bring their expertise and resources together, towards a common objective. We are proud to help move this development into construction and create new housing that will support Bracebridge’s downtown and the community for years to come”
- Jon Morton, Chief Operating Officer, Greystone Project Management Inc.
"Collaboration is key in addressing the housing challenges across our region and this project demonstrates it. Working alongside Greystone Project Management, the Town of Bracebridge and the District Municipality of Muskoka on this landmark project, we are thrilled to be a part of creating more housing for our community.”
- Meghan Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North
About Bracebridge – The Town of Bracebridge is located in the Heart of Muskoka, the epitome of Canada’s Cottage Country. With a population in excess of 17,000 permanent residents that doubles during the summer months, the community has a diversified economy that is highlighted by strong construction, hospitality and professional sectors. Bracebridge is the steward of the cottage country brand and is teaching the world the power of living the Muskoka lifestyle in its spirit, the arts, food, home and recreation. The Town is positioned on the 45th parallel, halfway between the Equator and the North Pole, and is recognized as Santa’s summer home.
About the District of Muskoka: Creating more safe, attainable, and sustainable housing to call home. It’s what we do. The District of Muskoka is made up of six area municipalities and is responsible for delivering critical public services and programs to residents in our community. Visit our website at www.muskoka.on.ca. For updates by email, subscribe to News Updates on our website.
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