“Always wanted to look for a property that we could use for people living with MS. Not so much people like me, but the other people that are progressive, that are suffering, their families are suffering.”
Amanda Bickell says after the diagnosis, many people came to them to talk about their struggles.
“We had started this whole journey on turning a negative into a positive. So we really wanted to help people out, that were in those positions and help them turn a negative into a positive and help them with their struggles, again not just physically but also mentally.”
She says a retreat site was what made the most sense.
“Through all of this we kept saying it would be so great if we could find our own property, where we can have our own retreat, versus spending a ton of money renting out places. Something we can do ongoing.”
Bryan Bickell moves deck boards as a renovation gets underway for Bickell’s Point on Crowe Lake (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Bryan added once the project was in motion, they were able to rely on their family, friends, and connections in sport and the community.
“We have always over the course of the years, playing together, charity events, we definitely support each other. When you’re playing in the moment, you work as a family, you do anything for each other on and off the ice.”
On Wednesday September 10, 2025 the Bickells welcomed supporters to begin a renovation of the three-cottage property on Crowe Lake in Marmora and Lake.
MORE BELOW
Amanda Bickell moves a portion of deck board from one of the cottages set for renovation. (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Joined by Bickell’s former teammate Andrew Shaw and his wife Chaunette, the couple celebrated the first steps toward creating a space for families living with MS.
MORE BELOW
Demo of a deck begins at Bickell’s Point on Crowe Lake. (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Local artist Shalagh Elliott designed the project and it is being built in partnership with Alair Homes Belleville.
They are inviting those living with/affected by MS to share feedback to help shape the retreat site. CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY.
Alair Homes partner Brendan Troy:
“He (Bryan) reached out and he was looking for somebody to help him on the project. As soon as we started to talk to them (Bryan and Amanda), that’s where I thought, can we make this something bigger and at the same time can we help bring more value to you, to make this a more affordable project for everybody involved?”
“The whole site is under the floor plain. Just the way that this site is, technically it’s below that. These cottages are already on stilts, there was three to begin with, we’ve removed the one. There’s two left and we can work with those because they’re a little bit higher up and we build those and basically renovate them, to do things more cost efficiently. We have a specifically engineered foundation so that we can bring that up a little bit higher, at the same time do things that we need to and build a proper building throughout.”
He added the more accessible the site, the more families can utilize them.
“While at the same time, they’re going to bring in the experts, the dieticians, the nurses, the physical therapists to help them learn to live with that. Have the ramps, make sure all the doors are 36″ wide, at the same time make all those showers curbless, so everybody can wheel in that have to wheel in, if you have a walker. Really, accessibility is the answer.”
MUCH MORE BELOW
PHOTOS AND MORE ABOUT BICKELL’S POINT BELOW
Kilam Media is the creator of the above video
Amanda and Bryan Bickell, Ontario-born and a former NHL player and three-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks (2010, 2013 and 2015) founded the Bryan and Amanda Bickell Foundation in 2012.
It was originally launched to support therapy programs pairing pitbull-type dogs with children who experienced abuse, but the foundation’s mission shifted after Bryan was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the age of 30, ultimately forcing him to retire early from his NHL career.
Since then, he and his wife, Amanda have led meaningful outreach and education programs across the U.S.
Now, they are expanding the foundation’s impact in Canada through the creation of an accessible wellness retreat.
Bryan and Amanda purchased three cottages and surrounding land on Crowe Lake in Marmora.
With Alair Homes (Belleville) as the official build partner and with design support from Shalagh Elliott Design Company, the cottages are being renovated, with a goal to have one that is fully accessible.
It will serve as a year-round destination for families living with or affected by MS.
Alair Homes Belleville is proud to be managing construction and facilitating in-kind contributions. All sponsorship and retreat operations are led by BABF.
Beginning in fall of 2026, Bickell’s Point will host four retreats annually, each welcoming three families and their caregivers and/or support systems for a complimentary three-night stay. The experience will offer space for rest, community, and healing, while fostering long-term connection through MS Buddies, a private online forum designed to help families stay in touch and support one another beyond their stay.
(Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
(Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
(Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Andrew Shaw, a long-time teammate of Bryan Bickell, helps to demolish a deck at the site on Crowe Lake. (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
A view of Crowe Lake from Bickell’s Point. (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
