The choice to postpone the referendum to explore additional funding avenues reflects the feedback received from the community.
Photo of the North Peace Leisure Pool
Due to concerns from the community about the cost of proposed options for the North Peace Leisure Facility project, the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) Board has asked staff to look for partnerships and sponsorships. They want to reduce the impact on taxpayers before deciding whether to move forward with a referendum. This follows a recommendation from the project Steering Committee after reviewing feedback from Phase 3 Community Engagement.
“We thank everyone who participated in the Phase 3 engagement,” says Brad Sperling, PRRD Board Chair. “We heard that our communities understand the need for a new facility, but have significant concerns about costs. Our next actions reflect their request to explore options that reduce impacts on their taxes.”
In April and May, during Phase 3 of community engagement, residents from the four partner jurisdictions took part in a series of activities. These included seven workshops, five open houses, and two community surveys.
The surveys involved 500 participants through a statistically valid phone survey conducted by live operators, and 452 participants who responded online. The goal was to gather feedback and input regarding proposed facility options and priority amenities, while considering cost implications.
According to a media release from the PRRD on July 19, participants generally agreed that a new facility was needed, while the community prefers two 25-metre lap pools over one 50-metre lap pool. The most popular facility options include an upgraded aquatics facility on its own or a multi-use facility offering three to four recreational amenities.
In terms of cost and tax impact, there was moderate overall support for a monthly increase of $30 to $40. However, this amount did not receive support in PRRD Area B and Taylor. Participants expressed concerns about current cost estimates, potential expenses for purchasing the land, and construction cost overruns. They suggested ways to reduce taxpayer impact and supported seeking alternative funding through sponsorships and partnerships.
“The project Steering Committee recognizes the need to keep the process moving as quickly as possible; however, based on the input we’ve received from residents, we feel it is imperative to explore alternative funding support before moving forward,” says Trevor Bolin, Chair of the North Peace Leisure Facility Replacement Project Steering Committee and City of Fort St. John Councillor. “A small delay now could mean a big difference for taxpayers, so taking this time now is the responsible decision.”
For now, the Regional District and its partners will keep operating the current North Peace Leisure Pool to provide ongoing service to the community. The yearly operational and maintenance expenses for the facility are rising, and specific areas like the hot tub and tot pool have been shut down due to high repair costs, which are seen as impractical given the potential facility replacement.
“The current facility’s lifespan is challenging to predict,” Sperling added. “It’s an ever-changing, dynamic situation. While it might be tempting to provide a specific timeframe, such as five years, it’s crucial to understand that unexpected major repairs could necessitate temporary closures, while effective maintenance could extend the facility’s life beyond initial estimates. We are committed to transparency and will continue to make decisions in the best interest of our community, even if those decisions are difficult or complex. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and support as we navigate these challenges.”
The North Peace Leisure Pool is owned by the PRRD and operated in partnership with the City of Fort St. John. The District of Taylor is collaborating with the PRRD and the City in planning the new North Peace Leisure Facility.
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