Two years, three months, and 25 days after its ceremonial groundbreaking, the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre (MLCC) in Bracebridge is set to open.
Officials with the Town of Bracebridge say the facility will open to the public on Aug. 23 for tours and with some activities and programs will be free leading up to the facility’s grand opening in October.
They add anyone who has an existing rental at the soon-to-be-demolished Bracebridge Memorial Arena will have access to the Muskoka Lumber Arena inside the MLCC starting on Aug. 6. However, officials say construction workers will still be on site, so only the arena will be open.
The 113,640 sq. ft. facility is located on Salmon Ave., behind Stevens’ Your Independant Grocer. Along with the new arena, it features the Coulson Family Bracebridge Library, a multi-sport fieldhouse, outdoor courtyard, a play area, and enough room for it to expand, if needed.
The budget for the project was set at $75,330,000 with close to $60 million coming through the Town of Bracebridge and its fundraising efforts, including many individuals and businesses sponsors certain aspects of the facility over periods ranging from five to 15 years. The Province of Ontario also contributed $16,862,234 for the project.
