What does the future hold for the 75-year-old Bracebridge Memorial Arena?
A petition by Chris Ledsham, a director with the South Muskoka Minor Hockey Association (SMMHA), asks for the old barn to be kept in working condition until the second pad at the soon-to-open Muskoka Lumber Community Centre (MLCC) opens.
As of Monday afternoon, the petition has been signed by close to 300 people.
As part of the plan for the MLCC, space towards the back of the property on Salmon Ave. was left open for a second pad to be built.
“The recent introduction of the Junior C Bears team has brought new excitement and vibrancy to our town,” writes Ledsham. “However, it also adds to the existing pressure on our limited ice resources, which are already stretched thin by the flourishing minor hockey programs and other local user groups. This influx of activity, while positive in many aspects, has significantly reduced the availability of ice time for various sports, affecting not just hockey, but a wide range of activities that rely on these facilities.”
He says the SMMHA expects to have 450 participants for the 2024 season, which is up from 300 only two seasons ago.
Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney says when construction of the MLCC started in 2022, the town was not able to cover the cost of building a second pad, however, he says they’re still committed to the idea. He didn’t say when they may be able to move forward.
“It’s an 80-year-old facility, it’s very tired, it’s costing the community through its taxation considerable money to keep that facility operating,” explains Maloney about the old arena.
Maloney says part of the issue is parts of the arena, notably the steel structure that makes up its roof, are degrading. “Not to the point that we have to consider the facility but certainly the alarm bells are being rung,” he adds.
The most recent discussion about what to do with the arena was in May 2023 when it was proposed by Muskoka Community Land Trust that an affordable micro-community be built at 169 James St.
As part of the contract with Aquicon Construction, who are tasked with building the MLCC, Maloney says they will tear down the arena sometime in 2024.
While he didn’t divulge other proposals for what to do with the land, Maloney did say there is “keen interest” in using the property for affordable housing.
“Not very often do you have this kind of property available in your downtown core,” he says.
Maloney points out that nothing has been decided on what to do with the land yet but adds the community will be asked what they would like to see happen.
