Project Updates

Board Authorizes Prep to Move to Referendum

June 1, 2026

The Regional Board has approved proceeding with a referendum on October 17, 2026, to establish a service area for Jackfish Community Space Service.

This decision follows Regional Board review of the results and feasibility of establishing these services and approving that the Service Establishing bylaw be forwarded for Ministerial review. Community engagement conducted in spring 2026, during which the PRRD received 19 survey responses and welcomed 10 attendees to a community meeting held on May 12, 2026, indicated support for the repair of the Jackfish Community Hall.

Following this approval, staff will prepare an information package for submission to the provincial government for review and approval. This package includes a summary of community feedback, service area, tax rates, and other supporting information. Once approval is received, residents within the proposed service area will be notified of the details of the upcoming vote and provided with information on how to participate.

The Regional District remains neutral throughout the election and voting process. Our role is to provide clear, factual information so residents can make informed decisions. The final decision rests with the community.

Residents are encouraged to subscribe to the Regional News category on the PRRD website (prrd.bc.ca) to receive referendum updates. For project-specific updates, please register through the HYS page if you have not already done so.

We would like to thank all community members for their continued interest and participation throughout this process.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank You for Your Feedback!

May 20, 2026

The public engagement on the Jackfish Community Hall Project closed on May 15, 2026. We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who participated. From the great turnout at our May 12 community meeting to the many survey responses we received, your voice is shaping the next steps of this project.

What happens now?

We are hard at work reviewing everything you told us. We’ll be summarizing your feedback in a report for the Board of Directors to review on May 28, 2026. We will upload that report on this project page on May 29, 2026.

Stay tuned to this page for the latest updates and Board decisions. We appreciate your help in shaping the future of this project!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Final Planned Community Engagement Begins!

May 1, 2026

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is inviting residents to a community meeting to review the results of a recent building condition assessment and provide input on the future of the Jackfish Community Hall. The building condition assessment and resulting costs to repair the building to an operable state will be presented at an upcoming community meeting.


The meeting and an online survey will present information on and gather input about:

  • The option to repair the existing hall or not to proceed with repairs
  • Estimated repair costs and annual taxation impacts


Community feedback will help the Regional Board decide whether to proceed to a referendum. If approved, the community will have the final say on whether they support a new taxation service area to fund the facility’s operations.


How to Participate


Community Meeting

May 12, 2026 at 6:30pm

Chetwynd Recreation Centre, Aspen Room


Survey

Take the online survey open until May 15 at 3pm.

Paper copies of the survey are available at the community meeting, at the front desk of the Chetwynd Recreation Centre and PRRD offices in Dawson Creek (1981 Alaska Avenue) and Fort St. John (9505 100 Street).

To request a printed copy to be mailed to you, please contact the Communications Department at communications@prrd.bc.ca

Board Approval for Assessment

November 7, 2025

We are excited to share that the Peace River Regional Board approved the recommendation from the Electoral Area Directors Committee to move forward with the complete structural and building systems assessment for the Hall. Once the assessment is completed, a summary will be presented to the community at a future meeting.

The Summary will include:

  • Assessment Results
  • Costs
  • potential taxation implications for repair and operations

Project Overview and Next Steps

October 9, 2025

We're excited to share an update on the Jackfish Community Hall project!

Community feedback from the recent meeting and public survey showed strong support for a full structural and building systems assessment of the Hall.

A report recommending that the Regional Board approve this assessment has gone to the Electoral Area Directors Committee (EADC) on October 9 and will be presented to the Regional Board on November 6.

If the assessment is approved by the Regional Board, the study will:

  • Examine the Hall's current condition.
  • Provide repair recommendations and cost estimates.
  • Address issues such as aging infrastructure, water damage, and safety concerns.
  • Explore ways to create a more functional and financially sustainable community space.

Once the study is complete, the results will be shared with the community. Your feedback will then help guide future recommendations to the Regional Board about the project’s next steps.

Community Engagement Results

Overall, 82.7% of respondents would like to see the Jackfish Community Hall repaired. A summary of the engagement results is listed below and can also be found under the documents tab.

Support for Alternative Uses

When asked whether they thought something else, such as an outdoor recreation area (picnic area, campsites, upgraded baseball diamond, or other communal space) would better suit the community:

  • 31% only support a community hall for the property.
  • 21% would support an alternative space.
  • 48% were unsure.

Willingness to Fund Operations and Maintenance

Residents were asked about their willingness to support the operations and maintenance of the Hall with their tax dollars:

  • 44.2% said they would be willing to support operations and maintenance of the hall with their tax dollars.
  • 48.1% said they may be willing to support operations and maintenance, but it depends on the cost.
  • 7.7% said they would not be willing to support operations and maintenance of the hall with their tax dollars.

Preferred Monthly Tax Contribution

When asked about the monthly amount residents were willing to spend through taxation for a community hall:

  • 25% are willing to pay between $10 and $20.
  • 21% are willing to pay between $40 and $50.
  • 19% are willing to pay between $4 and $10.
  • 17% are willing to pay between $20 and $30.
  • 17% do not want to pay anything.

Check back soon for an update after the November 6 Regional Board meeting!

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!

Share Project Updates on Facebook Share Project Updates on Twitter Share Project Updates on Linkedin Email Project Updates link