Proposed Osborn Hall Replacement Project

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Help Shape the Future of the Osborn Community Space

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) invites residents of the Osborn area to participate in the next phase of engagement for the proposed Osborn Community Space Project.

A community meeting and survey will present concept options for a potential new community space located at 17526 Siphon Creek Road, including estimated costs and potential tax impacts. Community input will help inform next steps, including whether the project proceeds to a referendum (public vote).

This is the final planned community engagement opportunity for this project prior to consideration by the Regional Board.

No decision has been made at this stage. This engagement is intended to gather feedback before any decisions are considered by the Regional Board.

Background

The Osborn Community Hall was closed in 2019 due to structural issues and approved for demolition in 2025.

During engagement in summer 2025, residents expressed a preference for a practical, cost-effective outdoor recreation and gathering space rather than constructing a new hall. Based on this feedback, the PRRD engaged a landscape architect to develop concept options reflecting community priorities.

These options are now being shared for community review and input.

How to Participate

Community input from this engagement will inform a recommendation to the Regional Board on whether to proceed toward a referendum (public vote). If approved, the community will have the final say on if they support a new taxation area to fund the project. If no project proceeds, no new taxation would be established for this service.

Community Meeting

March 24, 2026, at 7pm
Cecil Lake Community Hall (4864 Cecil Lake Road)

Survey

Residents are asked to complete the online survey open from March 11, 2026, to April 1, 2026 (at 4:30pm).

Project Timeline (At a Glance)

  • Summer 2025: Initial community engagement

  • Early 2026: Concept development

  • March–April 2026: Public engagement (meeting + survey)

  • October 17, 2026 (pending support): Referendum (public vote)

Help Shape the Future of the Osborn Community Space

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) invites residents of the Osborn area to participate in the next phase of engagement for the proposed Osborn Community Space Project.

A community meeting and survey will present concept options for a potential new community space located at 17526 Siphon Creek Road, including estimated costs and potential tax impacts. Community input will help inform next steps, including whether the project proceeds to a referendum (public vote).

This is the final planned community engagement opportunity for this project prior to consideration by the Regional Board.

No decision has been made at this stage. This engagement is intended to gather feedback before any decisions are considered by the Regional Board.

Background

The Osborn Community Hall was closed in 2019 due to structural issues and approved for demolition in 2025.

During engagement in summer 2025, residents expressed a preference for a practical, cost-effective outdoor recreation and gathering space rather than constructing a new hall. Based on this feedback, the PRRD engaged a landscape architect to develop concept options reflecting community priorities.

These options are now being shared for community review and input.

How to Participate

Community input from this engagement will inform a recommendation to the Regional Board on whether to proceed toward a referendum (public vote). If approved, the community will have the final say on if they support a new taxation area to fund the project. If no project proceeds, no new taxation would be established for this service.

Community Meeting

March 24, 2026, at 7pm
Cecil Lake Community Hall (4864 Cecil Lake Road)

Survey

Residents are asked to complete the online survey open from March 11, 2026, to April 1, 2026 (at 4:30pm).

Project Timeline (At a Glance)

  • Summer 2025: Initial community engagement

  • Early 2026: Concept development

  • March–April 2026: Public engagement (meeting + survey)

  • October 17, 2026 (pending support): Referendum (public vote)

Discussions: All (2) Open (2)

  • Round 2 Concept Options and Costs

    3 months ago
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    The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has developed six options and associated cost estimates based on feedback from the previous round of community engagement in June 2025.

    These options reflect a range of approaches, from basic outdoor gathering spaces to a small, serviced hall.

    Projects with construction costs exceeding $500,000 would require borrowing, as a grant has been received towards the project from the Regional District of that amount. Repayment of any borrowing would be included in the annual operating costs. Operating costs also include items such as utilities, insurance, maintenance, and contributions toward future repairs or replacement.

    Residents are invited to review the options and provide feedback on their preferred concept. Community input will help inform next steps, including whether the project proceeds to a referendum (public vote) in October 2026.

    About the Concepts

    The concepts illustrate:

    • General structure types (e.g., pavilion, hall, shelter)

    • Included amenities

    • Estimated construction and operating costs

    They do not include:

    • Final design details

    • Detailed layouts or materials

    Detailed design would be completed only if the project proceeds following community support.

    How to Estimate Your Annual Tax

    1. Visit bcassessment.ca

    2. Search for your property using the “Find your property assessment” tool

    3. Locate the “Improvements Only” value (building value, not land)

    4. Divide that value by 1,000

    5. Multiply by the tax rate for your preferred option

    Example:
    $150,000 ÷ 1,000 = 150
    150 × 0.48 = $72 per year

    Note: Estimates are based on 2025 assessment values. Actual costs may vary.

    Option 1, Estimated Tax Rate $0.48/$1000: Picnic Shelter and Recreation Amenities


    Option 2, Estimated Tax Rate $0.61/$1000: Outdoor Pavilion


    Option 3, Estimated Tax Rate $0.67/$1000: Outdoor Pavilion and Recreation Amenities


    Option 4, Estimated Tax Rate $1.02/$1000: Small, Basic, Serviced Hall


    Option 5, Estimated Tax Rate $1.14/$1000: Small, basic, serviced hall and recreation amenities


    Option 6, $0/N/A: No Further Development

    All concepts are preliminary and intended for comparison purposes. Final design details would be developed only if the project proceeds following community support.

    Provide Your Feedback

    Residents are encouraged to complete the online survey by April 1, 2026 (4:30 PM).

    Your input will help inform the PRRD Board’s consideration of next steps for this project.

    The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has developed six options and associated cost estimates based on feedback from the previous round of community engagement in June 2025.

    These options reflect a range of approaches, from basic outdoor gathering spaces to a small, serviced hall.

    Projects with construction costs exceeding $500,000 would require borrowing, as a grant has been received towards the project from the Regional District of that amount. Repayment of any borrowing would be included in the annual operating costs. Operating costs also include items such as utilities, insurance, maintenance, and contributions toward future repairs or replacement.

    Residents are invited to review the options and provide feedback on their preferred concept. Community input will help inform next steps, including whether the project proceeds to a referendum (public vote) in October 2026.

    About the Concepts

    The concepts illustrate:

    • General structure types (e.g., pavilion, hall, shelter)

    • Included amenities

    • Estimated construction and operating costs

    They do not include:

    • Final design details

    • Detailed layouts or materials

    Detailed design would be completed only if the project proceeds following community support.

    How to Estimate Your Annual Tax

    1. Visit bcassessment.ca

    2. Search for your property using the “Find your property assessment” tool

    3. Locate the “Improvements Only” value (building value, not land)

    4. Divide that value by 1,000

    5. Multiply by the tax rate for your preferred option

    Example:
    $150,000 ÷ 1,000 = 150
    150 × 0.48 = $72 per year

    Note: Estimates are based on 2025 assessment values. Actual costs may vary.

    Option 1, Estimated Tax Rate $0.48/$1000: Picnic Shelter and Recreation Amenities


    Option 2, Estimated Tax Rate $0.61/$1000: Outdoor Pavilion


    Option 3, Estimated Tax Rate $0.67/$1000: Outdoor Pavilion and Recreation Amenities


    Option 4, Estimated Tax Rate $1.02/$1000: Small, Basic, Serviced Hall


    Option 5, Estimated Tax Rate $1.14/$1000: Small, basic, serviced hall and recreation amenities


    Option 6, $0/N/A: No Further Development

    All concepts are preliminary and intended for comparison purposes. Final design details would be developed only if the project proceeds following community support.

    Provide Your Feedback

    Residents are encouraged to complete the online survey by April 1, 2026 (4:30 PM).

    Your input will help inform the PRRD Board’s consideration of next steps for this project.

    Go to discussion

  • Service Area & Referendum

    3 months ago
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    What is a service area?

    A service area is a defined geographic area where properties contribute to the cost of a specific service.

    For this project, a service area would include properties that may use or benefit from a community space, such as a hall or outdoor gathering area. This approach ensures that those who directly use or benefit from the service contribute to its cost, rather than taxation being applied across the entire Regional District.

    A service area provides a stable and predictable funding source to support both ongoing operations and future needs.

    If established, the service area would fund:

    • Utilities

    • Insurance

    • Routine maintenance and repairs

    • Long-term replacement and future improvements

    The PRRD would likely provide the operating society with an annual grant to support day-to-day operations and maintenance.

    How Would Taxation Work?

    For this service, taxation would apply to building (improvement) value only, not land value.

    • “Improvements” refers to the value of buildings on your property (e.g., house, garage, or other permanent structures)

    • Land value is not included

    • The tax rate is calculated as an amount per $1,000 of assessed building value

    • Only eligible voters within the proposed service area would vote in a referendum.

    What Happens Next?

    Following the community meeting and close of the online survey, PRRD staff will compile feedback and present the results to the Regional Board.

    If there is clear community support for a preferred option, the Board may choose to proceed to a referendum (public vote).

    What Does a Referendum Mean?

    A referendum gives eligible residents within the proposed service area the final decision.

    • A “yes” vote would approve the service area, taxation, and construction and operation of the selected option

    • A “no” vote would mean the project does not proceed as proposed

    • If no project proceeds, no new taxation would be established for this service.

    If approved by the Board, the referendum is planned to coincide with the October 2026 General Election.

    What Happens if the Referendum is Not Supported?

    If the majority of voters do not support the referendum:

    • The service area would not be established

    • The project would not proceed

    • The Regional Board would consider alternative options for the property


    What is a service area?

    A service area is a defined geographic area where properties contribute to the cost of a specific service.

    For this project, a service area would include properties that may use or benefit from a community space, such as a hall or outdoor gathering area. This approach ensures that those who directly use or benefit from the service contribute to its cost, rather than taxation being applied across the entire Regional District.

    A service area provides a stable and predictable funding source to support both ongoing operations and future needs.

    If established, the service area would fund:

    • Utilities

    • Insurance

    • Routine maintenance and repairs

    • Long-term replacement and future improvements

    The PRRD would likely provide the operating society with an annual grant to support day-to-day operations and maintenance.

    How Would Taxation Work?

    For this service, taxation would apply to building (improvement) value only, not land value.

    • “Improvements” refers to the value of buildings on your property (e.g., house, garage, or other permanent structures)

    • Land value is not included

    • The tax rate is calculated as an amount per $1,000 of assessed building value

    • Only eligible voters within the proposed service area would vote in a referendum.

    What Happens Next?

    Following the community meeting and close of the online survey, PRRD staff will compile feedback and present the results to the Regional Board.

    If there is clear community support for a preferred option, the Board may choose to proceed to a referendum (public vote).

    What Does a Referendum Mean?

    A referendum gives eligible residents within the proposed service area the final decision.

    • A “yes” vote would approve the service area, taxation, and construction and operation of the selected option

    • A “no” vote would mean the project does not proceed as proposed

    • If no project proceeds, no new taxation would be established for this service.

    If approved by the Board, the referendum is planned to coincide with the October 2026 General Election.

    What Happens if the Referendum is Not Supported?

    If the majority of voters do not support the referendum:

    • The service area would not be established

    • The project would not proceed

    • The Regional Board would consider alternative options for the property


    Go to discussion
Page last updated: 21 May 2026, 10:15 AM