North Peace Leisure Facility Replacement Project

The City of Fort St. John, Peace River Regional District and District of Taylor are partnering on a feasibility study to determine the future of the North Peace Leisure Pool and how best to address regional aquatic and other recreational service needs going forward.

Why are we conducting this study?

The pool has served our region for generations. It provides fun, recreational activities for all ages. Generally, the pool hosts more than 100,000 individual visits annually, primarily from Fort St John, Taylor and the neighbouring PRRD communities (Electoral Area B and C). That’s about 3.5 visits for every resident in the North Peace region.

Unfortunately, the pool is reaching its end of life and experiencing several mechanical issues that have caused frequent closures to amenities like the hot tub. While we’re looking at options to patch it up to provide the best possible service in the short term, we also know it’s not a good long-term option as a facility.

The North Peace Leisure Pool is a priority for all of the partners, and we need a “built in the North Peace” plan for how we’re going to replace the pool based on a solution that suits our communities. This is also an opportunity to consider offering broader recreational activities for our residents.

What’s included in the study?

The study includes many elements – not just what amenities will be offered. In addition to collecting input from residents on their priorities for aquatics and recreational features that a new facility could offer, the feasibility study will also:

• include an analysis of how many people will use the facility and the related demand for different amenities from now to 50 years in the future
• include a business case that examines operating costs, operational needs and potential service areas, and what those costs could mean for taxpayers.
• examine options for how the partners may work together to make decisions and provide overall management of the new facility as well as models for how it will be operated.
• examine potential sites that a new facility of the size and scope that is proposed can fit with consideration of additional criteria such as site availability; how well the new facility’s amenities complement existing facilities or services; traffic impacts and transit availability; alignment with local and regional planning … to name a few
• include capital cost estimates for construction of a new facility

 When will the feasibility study be complete?

The study will conclude in 2022 or early 2023. Given the complexity of the project scope of work, our consulting team has a lot of research to do to help us make a “built in the North Peace” solution. The team has extensive experience in the design and development of recreation facilities, and will ensure that our communities have the information they need to proceed with a new facility.

Our consulting team:

• hcma architecture + design
• RC Strategies
• Research Co.
• Ross Templeton & Associates

What happens when the study is done?

Once the study is completed, it will be presented to the Regional District Board of Directors, City of Fort St John Council and District of Taylor Council for further consideration. Following the presentation of the study, the project partners will determine what recommendations to move forward with and if any additional information is needed. They will also consider how partnerships could be formed for a new facility in order to maximize efficiencies and reduce the cost to taxpayers.  

Once those decisions are made, the partners will decide whether to move to the next step, which involves an assent vote by residents (referendum), which will let the residents decide whether to move forward with borrowing funds for the construction of the facility and ongoing operational costs.

If the assent vote passes, the project will move into the schematic design phase (technical design), tendering and construction.