Bracebridge council advances major affordable housing project at former Memorial Arena site

A new housing build in Bracebridge that's expected to include 100 new units will begin construction at the former Memorial Arena.

Bracebridge is moving ahead with a major affordable housing project that could bring up to 108 new rental homes to the downtown core.

At Tuesday’s meeting, council ratified plans to advance negotiations for the redevelopment of the former Memorial Arena site. The proposal would transform the 1.48-acre municipal property into a mixed-income residential community featuring two multi-unit residential buildings.

Increasing housing supply, improving affordability

“This project represents one of the most meaningful housing initiatives our community has advanced in recent years. By leveraging municipal land and working collaboratively with experienced organizations, we are taking deliberate steps to increase housing supply, improve affordability and strengthen our downtown core,” says Town of Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney.

If approved, the proposed development would include between 90 and 108 rental units, with at least 25 per cent of the units in each building designated as affordable.

Council says affordability would be tackled through formal agreements. Plans also call for accessible and barrier-free units that exceed minimum standards, along with the potential addition of children’s programming space and neighbourhood enhancements.

“This cooperative model enables the town to leverage municipal land to support affordable housing delivery while limiting long-term financial exposure,” says the town.

The site was slated for redevelopment in the Bracebridge Downtown Master Plan as a key opportunity to strengthen downtown vibrancy.

The redevelopment follows a competitive Request for Proposals process initiated in January 2025. Officials say four submissions were received and evaluated before selection. With council’s ratification, staff can now enter into negotiations and work toward final plans.

Construction timeline and next steps

One building would be owned and operated by the District Municipality of Muskoka, while the second would be owned and operated by Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North, according to the release.

The project remains subject to planning approvals, including zoning changes, potential amendments to the Official Plan, site plan approval and public consultation under the Planning Act.

A timeline for construction will be confirmed once agreements are in place. The town says work is expected to take about two years to complete.