Muskoka Lumber Community Centre & Coulson Family Library
Bracebridge, Ontario
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Single-Pad Arena (1000 Spectator Seats), Concession, Field House, Indoor Track, Sports Hall of Fame, Multipurpose Rooms, Branch Library, Community Hall, Community Kitchen, Multi-Use Trails, Playground
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2025 Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) Global Design Award: Merit Award (Wayfinding)
2025 Parks & Recreation Ontario (PRO): Award of Excellence in Design
2025 Ontario Library Association (OLA): New Library Building Award
The Muskoka Lumber Community Centre is located in the heart of the storied ‘cottage country’ region of Muskoka, Ontario. The project in part replaced two separate stalwart but outgrown facilities, a 70-year-old arena and a 1908 Carnegie Library. Co-locating the new arena and library with other amenities enabled the Town of Bracebridge to take advantage of capital costs and operational efficiencies, while also creating a vibrant gathering place for the region’s growing and diversifying population.
During community engagement, tools like a ‘Graffiti Wall’ and ‘Ideation Panels’ allowed residents to provide direct input. The design team learned more about organizations like a quilter’s guild who used the former arena for an artisans bazaar. This inspired the design of the building’s entry facade that doubles as a monument sign.
The ‘Made-in Muskoka’ design response continues with colour, material, and assemblies, informed by:
1. Seasonal shifts in forest colour and Muskoka Lake hues, along with arrival via a road that cuts through pink granite.
2. Use of donated wood, including ship-lap interior siding with off-cuts used for wayfinding signage.
3. Nod to local tradition of family nameplates, hung on trees as road signage.
These 3 sources also informed elements, such as: the donor wall, directional signage, environmental graphics, arena seat patterns, field house court configuration floor markings, and pictograms that use colours to define each program space.
