PRRD to determine future of North Peace Regional Park following feasibility study

DAWSON CREEK B.C. — The future of the North Peace Regional Park will be determined once a feasibility study of the fall fairgrounds is completed. 

On January 11th, the Peace River Regional District board approved a recommendation from the Regional Parks Committee to have chair Brad Sperling work with staff, Area B director Jordan Kealy and the North Peace Fall Fair Society following the study.

Expedition Management Consulting was awarded the feasibility study at a district board meeting in October 2023.

The study costs $100,000 for a one-year term, which does not include replacements or repairs.

The feasibility study will include conceptual architectural design and cost estimates to upgrade the Adeline Kelly Hall and examinations of existing buildings and operating models.

The study differs from a structural condition and BC Fire Code assessment conducted by McElhanney in 2023. The engineering firm found that “the majority of structures [on the fairgrounds] are in severe disrepair or are completely inadequate in design.”

In a report to directors on January 11th, the parks committee pointed out that “while it is the location of the North Peace Fall Fair event, it should be referred to as North Peace Regional Park moving forward.”

Previously, the PRRD has referred to the park as the North Peace Fall Fairgrounds.

The comment comes after the North Peace Fall Fair Society penned a letter to the board in August 2023, claiming the district was taking ownership of the organization’s annual event through publications, such as a Request for Proposal.

It’s not the first time that the North Peace Fall Fair Society and the PRRD have seemingly butted heads, with the PRRD previously deeming Adeline Kelly Hall unfit for public use in March 2022, sparking backlash from the society.