Local area governments exploring options for new aquatics/recreation complex

Fort St. John – The planning process for a new aquatics and recreation facility to serve the North Peace is nearing a critical milestone. The Peace River Regional District (PRRD Areas B and C), the City of Fort St. John, and the District of Taylor are working together to explore options for the proposed North Peace Leisure Facility. A feasibility study that identifies the best opportunities to replace the aging North Peace Leisure Pool is nearing completion and is expected to be put before elected officials for consideration soon.

The completed feasibility study will include recommendations on a wide variety of issues including what features could be included in the building, estimated construction cost, proposed location, and the business case for a new facility including some of the operating costs and revenue projections.

No final decisions on project scope or other major considerations have been made at this point. If a decision is made to move forward with a project, voters would have to approve any borrowing required to build the new facility through a referendum.

The planning process for a new facility began in 2018 but was paused due to COVID-19 pandemic challenges. The process got back on track in 2022 with a new round of public consultation and re-launch of the feasibility study development. The feasibility study will balance community input with cost, affordability, and other considerations in recommending what could be included in the facility. To learn more about the planning process for the project and the community input to date visit: haveyoursay.prrd.bc.ca/.

The North Peace Leisure Facility (NPLF) Replacement Steering Committee, which includes elected representatives from the PRRD Board and Fort St. John and Taylor Councils, is meeting regularly to support the completion of the feasibility study and ensure resident needs are addressed in proposed recommendations.

When the feasibility report and related recommendations are complete, they will first be reviewed by the Steering Committee, and if supported, will be presented to the PRRD Board and the Fort St. John and Taylor Councils for consideration and provisional approval. Elected officials would then determine the process and timeline to seek approval from voters in the affected communities to borrow the funds needed to pay for the project.

The North Peace Leisure Pool Replacement Committee is continuing to examine site options for the new recreation complex as well as estimating some of the costs to build and operate the facility.

The final report for the project, which will provide recommendations on the path forward is expected to be presented in 2023.

The Peace River Regional District, City of Fort St. John and District of Taylor are working together on a feasibility study to explore options for a new recreation facility to serve the North Peace region. As part of the study, identification of possible sites for a new facility will be evaluated and considered by the North Peace Leisure Facility Replacement Steering Committee, and ultimately the Board of the Peace River Regional District.

A Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) is being issued in order to identify possible lands for acquisition, by sale or by donation, for the future home of the facility. It is expected that this facility will be a major hub of the community, bringing together people of all ages and abilities. The Steering Committee is seeking proposals for sites from member local governments, private individuals, corporate entities or not-for-profit groups.

Sites will be considered within the City of Fort St. John, District of Taylor and Area B and C in the Peace River Regional District.

The submission deadline for this opportunity is September 22, 2022 at 2pm (MST).
All interested parties are encouraged to learn more at: https://prrd-bc.bonfirehub.ca/opportunities/56826

Thank you to everyone who told us about your interests and preferences for a new recreation facility in June/July 2022. It was great to hear from so many people from all parts of the North Peace. Click here to access the report that outlines what we heard in 2018 and 2022.

Do you have something to add? Please let us know in the comments below.

Partners in the Existing North Peace Leisure Pool

Did you know that the current pool is owned by the Peace River Regional District and operated by the City of Fort St John? As a result of the City/Regional District partnership, the North Peace Leisure Pool is currently funded by PRRD and City property taxes, along with facility user fees.

As partners, they created the North Peace Leisure Commission with representatives from both the PRRD and the City who share the responsibility to establish policies, procedures and management goals and objectives for the operation of the facilities. The Commission is comprised of the PRRD Directors representing Electoral Areas B and C and members of Fort St. John Council.

The pool has served our region for generations. It provides fun, recreational activities for all ages. Kids learn to swim, families enjoy leisure time together, seniors, lap swimmers and others are able to stay active and fit, patients rehab from injury, individuals and teams train and compete and some just enjoy a hot soak or steam. The number of kids who have hosted birthday parties at the pool is enormous!

On average, the pool hosts more than 100,000 user visits annually. Here‘s a breakdown of typical annual use

1. 57% Admission Public Swim
2. 25% Red Cross + Lessons
3. 6% Swim Club
4. 5% Aquafit
5. 4% Lap Swims
6. 2.5% Showers, Cardio, Hot Spots

The pool is well used by residents from across the region. About 60% of users in a recent year came from Fort St. John, while about 40% came from Taylor and Electoral Areas B and C.

Partners looking into the future

The District of Taylor along with the City of Fort St John, and Electoral Areas B and C are also partners in the feasibility study to ensure future plans meet the needs and concerns of its community.

Recreation facilities like the pool are a big part of what makes our community a great place to live, but they also come with a big price tag.

Working in partnership means we can leverage the expertise and funding from the participating organizations. Ultimately, it’s our residents who benefit from more programs and amenities.

With multiple partners, we spread the cost to build and operate the facility over a larger number of taxpayers – and that includes residential and industrial/commercial tax bases.

Working together comes with a lot of benefits. We can do more in terms of the building design and program delivery and offering a wider variety of sport and recreational activities.

An in-person open house was held at the North Peace Leisure Pool on June 7, 2022, and a virtual open house on June 9. At the in-person event, each person was given 5 stickers to vote on the most important features in a new facility; read on to view the results.

Did you miss the open houses?

View display boards	Watch a recording of the Virtual Open House	Watch FAQ video

Do you agree with how your community voted? Please let us know by filling out the survey here.

Open House sessions

An in-person open house was conducted at the North Peace Leisure Facility on June 7 and a virtual open house on June 9. If you missed the open houses, check out the display boards or check back soon to watch a recording of the virtual open house.

Complete the online survey

Complete the survey between June 7 and July 7, 2022. Click here to start the survey!(External link)

Can't complete it online? Contact the PRRD at prrd.dc@prrd.bc.ca(External link) or call 250 784-3200 and ask for Community Services. We can send you a paper survey or help you complete it by phone.

Complete the telephone survey

Research & Co. will be assisting the PRRD with conducting a random sample survey of 500 households in the North Peace. If you are contacted, please take 5 minutes to answer the questions and help shape our next facility.

North Peace residents to help plan new aquatics and recreation facility

Join us at an open house event to find out more!

The PRRD, in cooperation with the City of Fort St. John and the District of Taylor are sharing what residents told us they'd like to see in a new community and aquatics facility in 2018. We now need your help to prioritize all of those great ideas!

Please attend an open house (either in person, or virtual).

In-person event:
June 7 from 4:30-7:30pm at the North Peace Leisure Pool (9505 100 Street, Fort St. John)

Virtual event:
June 9 at 7pm at https://bit.ly/3wqSqUl
Meeting ID: 848 0163 0240 I Passcode: 578308 I Phone: 1-778-907-2071

Did you tell us what you would like to see in a new recreational facility?

During the Summer of 2018, we talked to people at all sorts of community events and did both an online and paper survey to find out what the priorities might be for a new facility! Did you drop in to a pop-up? Did you tell us your ideas at the Ideas fair? Did you fill out a survey?

Check Out What We've Learned:

If you'd like to know more about what the North Peace Community said about the project over the summer of 2018, have a look at the Public Engagement Report which compiles all of the input received into one place! If you have comments, please let us know.