The auditorium of the Bracebridge Sportsplex is one step closer to becoming a wellness centre.
During its Aug. 14 meeting, town council gave its thumbs up to FDF Group’s $148,744.56 bid for the work. In his report to council, Jerad Henderson, manager of recreation programs and services, highlights the positive feedback the work the Ottawa, Ont.-based company got for its work on the City of Kingston’s INVISTA Centre and a pair of facilities for the YMCA.
“Staff are confident that FDF Group will design and implement an exceptional wellness centre,” writes Henderson.
The wellness centre was announced in June 2024 with Gravenhurst’s Kubota North agreeing to contribute $100,000 over the next 15 years for the naming rights to the facility.
Bracebridge’s Mayor Rick Maloney explained at the time the auditorium at the sportsplex will be split in half with one side becoming a multi-purpose community room and the other side serving as a wellness centre. He said personal trainers will be available along with free weights, cardio equipment, and a general use training area.
He added he expects the project to be done by this December.
The repurposing of the sportsplex’s auditorium was confirmed in 2018 during the construction of Muskoka Lumber Community Centre. The soon-to-be-open facility will feature a similarly sized auditorium upstairs, which allows the town to use the sportsplex’s auditorium for the wellness centre.
Henderson shares council previously agreed to have Bradanick Construction Services Inc. retrofit the auditorium to become two smaller rooms to accommodate the wellness centre. He adds the contract is worth $327,538.
