Multi-Use Sport and Event Centre
The City of Peterborough is exploring the development of a new Multi-Use Sport and Event Centre (MUSEC). The proposed facility would serve as a modern hub for sports, entertainment and community events while supporting economic development, tourism and recreation opportunities.
The MUSEC represents an investment in community infrastructure that would serve residents and visitors for decades to come as a modern venue capable of hosting sporting events, concerts, community celebrations, and other major events. The City's current major events centre, the Peterborough Memorial Centre, was built in 1956.
The MUSEC is being considered to:
- Replace the Peterborough Memorial Centre, which was built in 1956
- Provide a venue for sports, concerts, and other major events
- Enhance tourism by creating opportunities for year-round visitation
- Support downtown revitalization through increased visitor activity and investment
- Strengthen Peterborough's position as a regional destination for sport, entertainment, culture and business events
The total cost of the MUSEC is estimated at approximately $170 million, inclusive of construction, soft costs and contingencies. The facility would seat about 5,800 in a 155,000-square-foot building.
Project Background
The City first began exploring the possibility of a new MUSEC in 2018, through two feasibility studies. The first study explored potential features of a MUSEC, project timelines, market opportunities, and the costs of building a new facility compared to investing in upgrades to the Peterborough Memorial Centre. The second feasibility study highlighted potential locations for a new MUSEC.
Reports and presentations have included:
- Report CSD15-004, Arena Development Update
- Report CSAD18-001, Major Sport and Event Centre Feasibility Study Presentation
- Report CSAD18-003, Major Sport and Event Centre Feasibility Study Phase One Executive Summary Report and Presentation
- Report CSAD18-005, Major Sport and Event Centre Feasibility Study Phase Two Final Report and Presentation
- Report CSAD19-001, Major Sport and Event Centre Project Next Steps
- Report SCACH23-002, Major Sport and Event Centre Study Project Update
- Report CSD25-008, Multi-Use Sport and Event Centre RFQ and RFP Process
- Report CSD25-008, Appendix A, Preferred Location of the Multi-Use Sport and Event Centre
- Report CSD25-008, Appendix B, Multi-Use Sport and Event Centre - Funding Gaps and Strategy: Update Report
- Report CSD25-008, Appendix C, Phase II Environmental Site Assessment - 182 Townsend Street and 219 Wolfe Street, Peterborough, ON
City Council has approved the preferred location of the MUSEC being the existing City bus garage site on Townsend Street.
The Peterborough Memorial Centre
The MUSEC would replace the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC), which is 70 years old.
The City’s current assessment of the PMC identifies $22.4 million in necessary repairs and maintenance over the next 15 years beginning in 2027. This does not include the $1.5 million in repairs that have been identified in the 2026 Capital budget. Future budget amounts also do not include additional capital improvements to the building structure that would be required to increase the loading capacity to hang rigging for concerts and other events which has become an industry norm and is currently not permitted due to loading capacity constraints.
Current Status
During its meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, City Council approved a motion that included pre-committing $1.7 million in the 2027 budget for a project manager position, site studies and preliminary consultant services.
The motion also included the following:
- That Council commit 1/3 of the cost, approximately $57 million, toward the MUSEC project;
- That staff be directed to provide a report identifying the funding plan to finance this $57 million commitment including amendments to the City's debt limit;
- That staff be directed to initiate proactive advocacy and explore options to acquire the remaining 2/3 of the cost, approximately $114 million, from the Government of Canada, Province of Ontario, County of Peterborough, private sector partners, fundraising, naming rights and sponsorship opportunities, and non-debt supported sources; and
- That staff be directed to provide Council with a report detailing options for funds from non-debt supported sources.