Jackfish Community Hall Next Steps

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The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is seeking community input on the future of the Jackfish Community Hall. The hall, located outside of Chetwynd on 1515 Old Jackfish Road, is owned by the PRRD and operated by the Jackfish Lake Community Club.

A facility assessment in 2021, coupled with damage from a heating failure, determined that the facility needs substantial repairs, maintenance and upgrades to improve fire safety and accessibility. The facility has been closed since 2021 due to these factors. The hall currently lacks a consistent way to fund these costs, relying on temporary grants and fundraising.

To find a sustainable solution, the PRRD is holding a community meeting and online survey to determine if locals still want to use the hall, whether they would support a dedicated funding plan and if the community is willing to continue managing its day-to-day operations. The feedback from this community engagement will help the PRRD Regional Board decide on the next steps for the hall's operation.


Next Steps for the Community

  • Learn more: Explore this project page to learn more about the facility history and condition, and potential funding models.
  • Take the survey: An online survey is open August 28, 2025 to September 15, 2025 to collect feedback from residents.
  • Attend the Community Meeting: Join us at the Chetwynd and District Recreation Centre on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the project and get your questions answered by the project team.

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is seeking community input on the future of the Jackfish Community Hall. The hall, located outside of Chetwynd on 1515 Old Jackfish Road, is owned by the PRRD and operated by the Jackfish Lake Community Club.

A facility assessment in 2021, coupled with damage from a heating failure, determined that the facility needs substantial repairs, maintenance and upgrades to improve fire safety and accessibility. The facility has been closed since 2021 due to these factors. The hall currently lacks a consistent way to fund these costs, relying on temporary grants and fundraising.

To find a sustainable solution, the PRRD is holding a community meeting and online survey to determine if locals still want to use the hall, whether they would support a dedicated funding plan and if the community is willing to continue managing its day-to-day operations. The feedback from this community engagement will help the PRRD Regional Board decide on the next steps for the hall's operation.


Next Steps for the Community

  • Learn more: Explore this project page to learn more about the facility history and condition, and potential funding models.
  • Take the survey: An online survey is open August 28, 2025 to September 15, 2025 to collect feedback from residents.
  • Attend the Community Meeting: Join us at the Chetwynd and District Recreation Centre on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the project and get your questions answered by the project team.

  • Project Updates

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    Let's Talk About the Jackfish Community Hall!

    August 28, 2025


    The Jackfish Community Hall has been closed for a while now, and before we make any decisions about its future, we want to hear from you!

    The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is hosting an online survey and community meeting to share what we've learned about the hall's condition, including the repairs needed and their estimated costs. This is your chance to tell us if you're interested in using the hall again and whether you would support a new plan to fund its future through local taxes.

    Please join us and engage with the survey to share your thoughts and ideas!

    When: September 9, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

    Where: Tamarack Room, Chetwynd Recreation Centre - 4512 N Access Road

    Survey: Open August 28 to September 15 @ 4:30 p.m.

    • Online
    • Print copies: Available at the PRRD offices in Dawson Creek (1981 Alaska Avenue) and Fort St. John (9505 100 Street)

    Your voice is incredibly important in helping us decide what's next for the Jackfish Community Hall. We look forward to seeing you there!



  • Tax Cost and Estimates

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    Development and any renovations to the facility will each have ongoing expenses that would be paid through taxation.

    The following taxation estimates are based off a proposed service area map. Estimates for tax rates are calculated on the value of all improvements (this includes taxing on buildings only and does not include the value of the land).

    Costs for the Community Hall include:

    • Initial capital borrowing costs for potential renovations and upgrades
    • PRRD Expenses (wages, benefits, property insurance, safety and danger tree removal)
    • Grant to Society (utilities, internet access, liability insurance, maintenance, janitorial supplies, health permitting)
    • Capital Reserve Contributions (held by the Regional District to fund future large-scale repairs and upgrades)
    • Annual debt repayment

    Estimated annual cost: $140,047 for 30 years, which will increase based on inflation and actual costs.


    Tax Cost Calculator

    You can use our calculator tool to get an estimate of what a renovated hall would cost on your taxes. This information is based on your property's assessed value, improvements only, through BC Assessment.

  • Facility Condition Assessment Overview

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    The Jackfish Community Hall was built in 1987, with an addition added in 1991, bringing its total size to about 387 square metres.

    An initial assessment of the building's condition in June 2021 found that many parts of the hall would soon need to be replaced. These include the main doors, siding, metal roof, water pipes, heaters, and kitchen and washroom fixtures.

    Since that assessment, the hall has suffered more damage. In 2021, the heating system failed, causing pipes to freeze and burst. This led to extensive water damage, and now the two furnaces, water lines, hot water tank, and all plumbing fixtures need to be replaced. A separate inspection in 2022 also found lead paint and asbestos, which have not yet been removed.


    Repair Costs and Future Work

    A more recent review in 2024 was conducted to figure out what it would take to fix the additional damage and bring the building up to modern safety and accessibility standards. Any repairs and safety upgrades will be very expensive to complete.


Page last updated: 28 Aug 2025, 01:06 PM