Muskoka Lakes Arenas - Planning for the Future!

On Wednesday April 10, the final report for the Arena Feasibility will be presented to Council. The final report can be found here or by clicking the image below.

On Wednesday March 14, Susan Lennox of Lennox Architects shared an update at the end of phase 3 of the feasibility study with Committee. The presentation is available on the Government Portal, or by clicking the image below.

On Wednesday November 15, Susan Lennox of Lennox Architects shared an update at the end of phase 2 of the feasibility study with Committee. The presentation is available on the Government Portal, or by clicking the image below.

On Wednesday September 13, Susan Lennox of Lennox Architects shared an update at the end of phase 1 of the feasibility study with Committee. The presentation can be found here.

The Project is proposed to be divided into two phases.

Phase One of the feasibility study includes:
• Information gathering and data collection;
• Condition and needs assessment of the two existing facilities;
• Community needs assessment;
• Public consultation;
• Program design; and
• Reporting of findings to the General and Finance Committee of Council.

Phase Two of the project will develop the alternatives conceptually in sufficient detail to examine the impacts on the community and to identify the preferred alternative.

Phase Two will include:
• Identification and development of alternatives;
• Public consultation;
• Alternative evaluation and identification of the preferred alternative; and
• Reporting of findings to the General and Finance Committee of Council.

Following completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2, the consultant will develop and implementation strategy, and prepare a presentation with a final report to Council.

Through this process, we will identify the range of alternatives with the potential to be able to satisfy the current and projected needs of the community for the term of the assessment. At a minimum the following alternatives should be considered:

1. Refurbish one or both the existing facilities sufficiently to allow them to continue to operate under its existing mandate for the term of the study.
2. Refurbish/expand one of the existing facilities sufficiently to allow it to continue to operate under its existing mandate for the term of the study and repurpose the other facility to satisfy any other unmet needs.
3. Construct a new facility on an existing or new site to meet some or all of the community needs. Adaptive reuse of the existing facilities may be considered in conjunction with this alternative.
4. Other alternatives as the consultant may deem to be viable and worthy of further consideration.

In 2022, Council adopted the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. One of the first steps in implementation of the plan is executing an arena feasibility study to determine the best course of action for arena facilities in the municipality.