Once an iconic gathering place for Bracebridge families, Memorial Arena is making way for a new chapter. The site officially broke ground on an affordable housing complex featuring 103 units, including 25 designated as affordable housing. Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney is satisfied the land will once again serve local families. “I was thinking about all the trophies that were hoisted, probably just behind me at center ice, and we’ll be able to hoist a trophy for good, quality, safe housing that people will be able to certainly take full advantage of and be good, productive neighbors here in our community,” said Maloney. He added that the complex’s close proximity to the downtown core is a bonus. “It is a block away from our downtown, it is on transit, and it is close for folks to all the amenities that they will need,” said Maloney. “This is going to be an exciting project, and it’s going to be an exciting place to live.” Once complete, the building will help address a significant housing shortage in the community. District of Muskoka Chair Jeff Lehman says the wait-list has grown to more than 700 families, many of whom are local workers. “There’s a tourism industry here where workers really struggle to find a place to live,” said Lehman. “There are workers in health care who can’t find a place to live close to where they work in the hospital or long-term care.” The land will house two buildings, one with 82 units and the other property, 21 units for Habitat for Humanity in a four-story building. Megan Taylor, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North, said the rental units are needed in the community. “There is a desperate need for rentals and all kinds of rentals so affordable as well as market,” said Taylor. “And so having our own building that we can support people in different places along the housing continuum is really, really impactful for us.” Jon Morton, COO of Greystone Project Management added they are able to build at a reasonable cost. “Very roughly speaking, we’re able to deliver these units for about $300,000 a unit,” said Morton. “That includes all of the site work, the building costs, and the engineering costs, so those are pretty good numbers to be able to allow these things to be operated.” Morton added site planning is nearly complete, with fencing and construction expected to begin within the next two to three weeks. The building is slated for completion by late 2028.
