Memorial Park Bandshell Refurbishment

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Consultation has concluded

Memorial Park is located at 130 Manitoba Street with frontage on Kimberley Avenue, Manitoba Street and Rene Caisse Lane. The park is home to a bandshell structure, outdoor skating trail, Cenotaph, decorative fountains, and commemorative benches and pathways. Memorial Park is a central location in Downtown Bracebridge and home to festivals and events that bring the community together year-round.

The current bandshell structure is in a declining state of repair and a new structure is needed to support existing use and enhance the park.

The Downtown Master Plan recommends improvements to Memorial Park because it plays a key role as a passive community space in Downtown Bracebridge. It is considered an opportunity site in the Master Plan Study due to its prominence, central location and regular community use.

As part of the 2024 Municipal Budget and Business Plan, the Town is proposing the construction of a new bandshell structure in consultation with Mitchell Jensen Architects. Council has endorsed a new octagonal design option.

Community Feedback

The public is invited to review the proposed octagonal concept and provide feedback on the design. The survey will be open until March 29.

Memorial Park is located at 130 Manitoba Street with frontage on Kimberley Avenue, Manitoba Street and Rene Caisse Lane. The park is home to a bandshell structure, outdoor skating trail, Cenotaph, decorative fountains, and commemorative benches and pathways. Memorial Park is a central location in Downtown Bracebridge and home to festivals and events that bring the community together year-round.

The current bandshell structure is in a declining state of repair and a new structure is needed to support existing use and enhance the park.

The Downtown Master Plan recommends improvements to Memorial Park because it plays a key role as a passive community space in Downtown Bracebridge. It is considered an opportunity site in the Master Plan Study due to its prominence, central location and regular community use.

As part of the 2024 Municipal Budget and Business Plan, the Town is proposing the construction of a new bandshell structure in consultation with Mitchell Jensen Architects. Council has endorsed a new octagonal design option.

Community Feedback

The public is invited to review the proposed octagonal concept and provide feedback on the design. The survey will be open until March 29.

Consultation has concluded

  • Bandshell History

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    The history of the bandshell dates back to April 18, 1900 when a meeting was held by the Bracebridge Board of Trade to establish a park commemorating Private Fred Wasdell, a local citizen enlisted with the 3rd Victoria Rifles of Montreal and “E” Company Royal Canadian Contingent for active service in the Boer War, who died from wounds on February 27, 1900, in Paardeberg, South Africa.

    During the early 1900's an octagonal wooden structure was moved from the intersection of Dominion Street and Manitoba Street to Memorial Park. Later, between 1929-1933, a new larger roofless bandshell with lighting fixtures was constructed and later completed with pillars and a roof through a donation from local businessman, George W. Ecclestone.

    Through the years the bandshell has seen multiple improvements from the structure to the gardens surrounding, such as the 2002 project that saw bandshell restored with a new roof and support beams. Ongoing maintenance projects have been completed by Town staff and others repairing components of the bandshell, painting the structure and maintain the gardening.