Muskoka Lumber Community Centre & Bracebridge Library

Occupying a 4.4ha site in the heart of Ontario’s bucolic, ‘cottage country’ Lake Muskoka region, the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre is a Net-Zero-energy facility offering state-of-the-art recreation and wellness amenities. Undergirded with an extensive public engagement process, the project began with the community’s desire to capture the spirit of the region and its spectacular natural setting in the design of the building and its green spaces.

The park is a social and recreating hub that includes a perimeter ridge walking loop with fitness stations and a multi-purpose lawn for community events and everyday informal use. Stormwater management is transformed into an amenity—a pond planted with submergent and emergent vegetation to maintain its own healthy environment over time and blend in with the surroundings. Future phasing has been planned to add indoor and outdoor amenities, including soccer fields and more playground space. The result is an indoor-outdoor community landmark that is quickly becoming the Town’s foremost public gathering place.