North Peace Leisure Facility Project, Display Boards (April 2024)

Share your feedback on North Peace Leisure Pool Replacement Options

Over the past decade, the North Peace Leisure Pool has been challenged by a variety of maintenance issues. Continual, repeated shutdowns of various pool features and the entire facility have negatively impacted community use, and related capital and operating costs continue to increase.

We are also a growing community, and the pool no longer meets community needs.

Public input to date has helped to develop a mix of options for a new facility that reflect community priorities. Now, the project partners are asking for feedback on the options.

Did you know?

The new facility would be funded in part by property taxpayers in Peace River Regional District (PRRD) Areas B and C, the City of Fort St. John and District of Taylor.

The District of Taylor has joined with the PRRD and the City in the planning process for the proposed North Peace Leisure Facility.

The North Peace Leisure Pool is owned by the PRRD and operated by the City of Fort St. John.

What We Have Learned to Date

The PRRD completed two rounds of community engagement to learn about the types of amenities residents in the four partner jurisdictions want to see at a new facility. We learned that residents support a new multi-purpose facility that includes both aquatic amenities and indoor recreation spaces. There was also a request for a 50-metre lap pool to support training and competitions.

NORTH PEACE LEISURE FACILITY PROJECT

The following is an overview of some of the combined input from residents.

The top three priorities for aquatics are:

43% RECREATIONAL & LEISURE SWIMMING

28% SWIMMING DEVELOPMENT/ LESSONS

17% SWIMMING FOR PERSONAL FITNESS

The top three priorities for recreation are:

44% SPACES FOR KIDS TO PLAY

17% SPACES TO PLAY SPORTS & FOR FUN

13% SPACES TO HANG OUT & SOCIALIZE

For more details on the results of the two rounds of community engagements, please view the community engagement summary reports at haveyoursay.prrd.bc.ca/nplf.

Stay informed: haveyoursay.prrd.bc.ca/nplf

Choosing What We Want and What We Can Afford

We used community input to create different facility options that include a mix of amenities. Estimated costs were a lot higher than we anticipated because of inflation and the construction market.

We are concerned about the cost and want to hear from you about what costs are acceptable and what amenities we can afford.

Our goal is to find the best mix of amenities at a cost that works for all four partner jurisdictions. Then, with community support, we can pursue funding for design and construction.

1 OPTION

2 OPTION

3 OPTION

• Leisure pool

• Hot pool

• Steam and sauna

• Waterslide

• Two 25-metre lap pools (3 lanes warmer water, 6 lanes cooler water)

• Multi-purpose room

• Indoor social space

*ESTIMATED COST: $136 million

ESTIMATED OPERATING COST: $5.9 million/year

Enhanced Aquatic Facility PLUS 50-Metre Lap Pool

2 OPTION

• Leisure pool

• Hot pool

• Steam and sauna

• Waterslide

• One 50-metre lap pool (10 lanes cooler water)

• Multi-purpose room

OPERATIONAL COSTS $5.5M PER ANNUM*

*ESTIMATED COST: $284 million ESTIMATED OPERATING COST: $8.8 million/year

• Indoor social space *The

• Leisure pool

• Hot pool

• Steam and sauna

• Waterslide

• Two 25-metre lap pools (3 lanes warmer water, 6 lanes cooler water)

• Indoor social space

• Multi-purpose room

• Sports field

• Two gymnasiums

*ESTIMATED COST: $280 million

ESTIMATED OPERATING COST: $6.6 million/year

Understanding the Tax Impacts

Project costs are rough estimates, and they include construction costs, contingency funds and soft costs.

The tax impacts for each service area are based on cost estimates and average assessed property value in each community Actual costs and tax increases will depend on construction timing, final design, service area and property value.

We are also exploring other funding options such as grants.

Stay informed: haveyoursay.prrd.bc.ca/nplf

Share Your Ideas

The PRRD and its partners are concerned about the project cost, so we’re holding workshops to discuss facility options and cost.

Working together, our goal is to find the best mix of amenities balanced with cost. Your input will contribute towards the development of a final option for a new facility.

Please sign up for the one that works best with your schedule.

WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP

To

Stay

Next Steps

Following the April workshops, the results will be presented at upcoming open houses for additional feedback. This project will require borrowing money.

• This means that a referendum related to the loan is required.

• The cost and tax impact options are based on all four jurisdictions participating in the project to share the costs and benefits.

• If even one jurisdiction votes against participating, the costs increase significantly for the other partner jurisdictions, so the project would be paused and reassessed.

Stay informed: