From the Township of Muskoka Lakes:
To support future recreation planning in Muskoka Lakes, the Township is seeking community input on the future of the Bala and Port Carling Arenas. A public survey is now live on Engage Muskoka Lakes, and will remain open until October 20th, 2023.
“Council has a keen interest in understanding the condition of the Township’s capital assets,” said Mayor Peter Kelley. “We want to hear from you! Sharing your feedback on our arenas will play an integral role as we plan for the future of recreation in Muskoka Lakes.”
After hearing from the community in 2022, Council adopted a Parks and Recreation Master Plan. One of the key recommendations in that document was the completion of an Arena Feasibility Study.
The Arena Feasibility Study has now commenced with the goals of determining the current condition of both the Bala and Port Carling arenas, as well as further consulting on community wants and needs. Through this process, Lennox Architects has completed an inspection of each facility and life cycle analysis. Moving forward, the consultant will assess the community needs through a review of the existing facility usage data, results from the Parks and Recreation Master Plan survey, user group meetings, and a public survey with specific questions on the arena facilities.
When completed, Lennox Architects will share a final report detailing the preferred alternative for recreational space in Muskoka Lakes.
Share your thoughts before October 20, 2023 by visiting Engage Muskoka Lakes.
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Dana Viking says
Does the Muskoka Lakes Township want to go the way of Bracebridge bankrupting itself with its new arena? Supposed to cost the Town $16 million and now costing over $60 million at double the previous interest rate. All money borrowed. We don’t need more pet projects of politicians like Maloney and Graydon Smith.
TML has high enough taxes.
Mac Redden says
Beware. The new Bracebridge arena is a financial disaster.
Cost is 3.3X!! expected for Bracebridge taxpayers.
“The loans required will make Bracebridge one of Ontario’s top indebted communities.”
https://southmuskoka.doppleronline.ca/new-arena-on-target-for-august-2024-opening/
For $10 million LESS than Bracebridge taxpayers are now burdened with, King township is completing a state-of-the-art, carbon neutral, fully accessible recreation complex with TWO!! NHL-sized ice surfaces, a six-lane 25-metre lap pool, a leisure pool, a multi-purpose athletic fieldhouse, and a multi-purpose community room.
Total $86 million minus $38.7 funded from the feds and the province.
“king township-widerecreationcentre”
Some areas know how to get funding and value for money.
Bracebridge is not one of them.
A financial disaster for decades to come.
Gert Frobe says
Arenas??? The Roman emperors built arenas to impress the population. We don’t need to be impressed in Muskoka. Taxes are high enough. As Dana Viking points out Bracebridge can’t pay for the Rick Maloney/Graydon Smith aRena extravaganza. Can’t even house people. Enough with these arena schemes. .