The Town is currently considering a proposal for the redevelopment of the former Memorial Arena site submitted by Greystone Project Management Inc., in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North and the District Municipality of Muskoka as a public, private, and non-profit collaboration, following a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
Planning and Development Committee will consider the awarding of the RFP on February 25, 2026, with a final decision subject to ratification by Council on March 3, 2026.
If approved, the proposal would redevelop the former arena lands into a mixed-use development that may include:
- Affordable rental housing;
- Market-rate rental housing;
- Space for community-supportive uses, such as children’s programming; and
- Enhanced community space in the adjacent public park.
Through public engagement completed as part of the Downtown Master Plan, the community identified this property as a key opportunity site and expressed support for redevelopment that would contribute to housing, vibrancy, and year-round activity in the downtown.
The Town’s facilitation of the redevelopment of this site:
- Helps address local housing needs, including affordable housing;
- Maximizes the use of vacant and underutilized land in a prime downtown location;
- Supports downtown vibrancy and increased foot traffic;
- Expands the municipal tax base over time; and
- Leverages private and non-profit investment for community benefit.
The project aligns with Council’s strategic priorities and reflects feedback received from residents and stakeholders during the Downtown Master Plan engagement process.
The Town issued a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process (RFP 2025-TOB-RFP-001) in January 2025. Proposals were evaluated based on:
- Proponent qualifications, experience, and financial capacity;
- Strength of partnerships;
- Alignment with Town priorities, including housing supply, long-term affordability, downtown vibrancy, environmental sustainability, and consistency with the Downtown Master Plan;
- Quality of the proposed concept and design, including housing mix, accessibility, and overall feasibility; and
- Financial viability of the project.
Following evaluation, the preferred proposal was submitted by Greystone Project Management Inc. in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North and the District Municipality of Muskoka.
The proposal contemplates two apartment buildings developed as a coordinated project by Greystone Project Management Inc., in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North and the District Municipality of Muskoka.
Together, the two buildings are proposed to deliver between 90 and 108 rental housing units, subject to confirmation of the final unit mix through the design refinement and planning process. At full occupancy, the development is estimated to house up to 245 residents.
Building A (Habitat ownership)
- Up to four storeys
- Approximately 15 to 21 rental units
- Estimated to accommodate 30 to 45 residents
- Unit mix to include studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units
- A mix of market-rate and affordable units
- A minimum of 25 percent of units designated as affordable, with affordability aligned with funding requirements and Habitat’s housing mandate
- A minimum of 15 percent barrier-free units
- On-site parking for each unit
Building B (District ownership)
- Contemplated as a five or six storey building
- Approximately 75 to 87 rental units
- Estimated to accommodate 175 to 200 residents
- Unit mix to include studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units
- A mix of market-rate and affordable units
- A minimum of 25 percent of units designated as affordable, with long-term affordability aligned with the District’s housing mandate
- A minimum of 15 percent barrier-free units
- Up to 2,700 square feet of indoor non-residential space for children’s programming, including at least 1,600 square feet of adjacent outdoor space
- On-site parking for each unit
The final number of units, unit mix, building height, and overall configuration will be confirmed through detailed design and the required planning approval processes.
If approved, the Town of Bracebridge would convey the development lands for nominal consideration as two separate parcels. “Nominal consideration” means the land would be transferred for a symbolic or minimal purchase price (for example, $1.00), rather than full market value, to support the delivery of defined public benefits such as affordable housing.
One parcel would be conveyed to Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North and the other to the District Municipality of Muskoka. Both parties would be required to enter into a construction agreement with Greystone Project Management Inc. for the coordinated co-development of the site as a unified two-building project.
The adjacent Youth Park, including the skate park, would remain under public ownership.
All land conveyances would be governed by formal legal agreements to ensure that community benefits and other public interest requirements are clearly secured and maintained over the long term.
The Town has the authority under Section 107 of the Municipal Act to dispose of land below market value if it serves the public interest. In this case, conveying the land for nominal consideration aligns with the Town’s Downtown Master Plan objectives and supports significant public benefits, including affordable housing, community services and amenities, and long-term economic development.
The lands are proposed to be transferred to two entities: first, a municipal government; and second, a non-profit housing provider with long-term public-interest mandates. Formal legal agreements will be established to ensure that the public interest is protected over the long term.
The Skate Park at 137 James Street will remain publicly owned and accessible. The Downtown Master Plan envisions it evolving as an enhanced Youth Park serving residents of all ages.
As part of the redevelopment proposal, Greystone Project Management Inc. has committed to delivering value-added enhancements in coordination with the Town of Bracebridge. Potential improvements may include additional plantings and trees, new benches, pathway upgrades, updated signage, public art, mounted to the new buildings, a small pollinator garden, and other features to create a more welcoming and functional community space. Final design details will be confirmed through the planning process.
The proposed development may require the municipal parking lot adjacent to the skate park to be conveyed as part of the redevelopment in order to accommodate housing-related parking needs. Once the final unit counts and associated parking requirements are confirmed through detailed design, the extent of lands required will be determined, and the remaining space available for park improvements will be clearly identified. Any enhancements will align with Downtown Master Plan recommendations and reflect the needs of both current and future residents.
The redevelopment concept proposes the stopping up and closing of Chub Downey Lane to enable consolidation of the former Memorial Arena lands into a cohesive development parcel. Closure of the road is necessary to support efficient building placement, coordinated and safe internal circulation, appropriate parking configuration, and integrated servicing across the site, resulting in a more functional and comprehensive redevelopment layout.
