Muskoka Lumber Community Centre recognized for innovative facility design
BRACEBRIDGE, ON (November 25, 2025) – The Town of Bracebridge is proud to announce that the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre has been awarded the 2025 Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) Award of Excellence for Facility Design.
Designed by MJMA Architecture and Design, a nationally celebrated architecture firm known for its innovative, human-centred community spaces, the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre represents a bold reimagining of how recreation, culture, and social spaces can be integrated to serve a growing community.
The 113,000-square-foot facility opened in August 2024 and brings together a multi-sport fieldhouse, NHL-sized arena, modern public library, and flexible community event spaces, all connected through a bright, spacious, and highly accessible public concourse. The facility design emphasizes natural light, sustainable materials, and intuitive navigation, creating an open and welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors.
Key design features of the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre include:
- A fully integrated community hub model, uniting sport, culture, learning, and social gathering under one roof;
- Extensive use of natural light and warm wood finishes, reflecting Bracebridge’s natural beauty and identity;
- Energy-efficient systems and sustainable design elements, aligning with the Town’s commitment to long-term operational efficiency;
- Universal accessibility, ensuring barrier-free movement throughout the facility for users of all ages and abilities; and
- Flexible, future-ready spaces that can adapt to evolving community needs, programming, and events.
This project was strengthened by extensive public consultation and significant collaborative investment, including more than $17 million in federal and provincial funding. Local fundraising initiatives like the Best Seat in the House and Buy a Bay campaigns, raised over $18,000 for the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation, deepening the project’s community impact.
This generational facility has become a central gathering place and a source of immense community pride raising over $4 million through a community sponsorship campaign that saw contributions from both residents and businesses of all sizes. This program strengthened civic engagement and demonstrated the power of grassroots involvement in public projects.
The Muskoka Lumber Community Centre’s recognition by PRO not only reflects the goals the Town had for the facility all along but recognizes Bracebridge as a leader in innovative, people-focused municipal infrastructure.
Quotes
“PRO’s recognition is an honour for our entire community. Since opening its doors, the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre has become one of Bracebridge’s most active and meaningful gathering places. Every day, we see families filling the arena stands, children discovering new passions in the library, seniors connecting through recreation and wellness programs, and visitors travelling from across the region to utilize this amazing space. MJMA’s remarkable design has given us more than a new facility, it has given us a vibrant community hub that is strengthening social connections, supporting local tourism and sport, and improving quality of life for residents of all ages.”
- Rick Maloney, Mayor, Town of Bracebridge
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.
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Town of Bracebridge
1000 Taylor Court
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1R6
Phone: (705) 645 5264