Meet the North Peace Leisure Pool’s two new youth commissioners

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Two new young people have joined the pool commission at the city’s North Peace Leisure Pool. 

In a Facebook post, councillor and pool commissioner Trevor Bolin welcomed the first two youth commissioners who will bring a local youth voice to the pool and its programming. 

Bolin, talking about the motive behind having a youth voice on the pool commission, told Energeticcity.ca: “It comes down to who’s going to be using our pool and it’s them – the kids – and it was getting that voice. 

“Here is what we think of a facility that we use, our friends use, some changes that could happen, some improvements that could be made and what you’re doing really well. 

“So just a really well-rounded youth voice for the future.”

The city announced the position on September 9th through a Facebook post asking applicants between the ages of 13 and 18 to apply. 

Applicants were asked to apply with a personal statement that explains why they want to join and how they would contribute. 

Jeriah Braun and Leonardo Rossi, both grade eight students, were selected for the new positions. 

Braun shared he was very keen to work at the pool. He told Energeticcity.ca: “It seems like a great opportunity for me to just grow and learn. 

“I’m thrilled to be part of the experiences and just to help youth be in a safer fun environment.

“And this might just be a great way for me to go out and do some community outreach.” 

Rossi, who has been a competitive swimmer since he was seven, was interested in getting others to want to come to the pool. 

He said: “I just thought it would be a good thing to do because I love to see more kids want to come to the pool because I think we’ve seen a decrease in the amount of kids coming to the pool, so watching that increase and being the cause of that would be very cool.” 

Talking about how they manage their positions with school, Rossi said: “We have meetings that work around all of our schedules. 

“Most of our meetings are scheduled to happen around seven o’clock after school and all of our extracurricular activities.” 

Braun shared that their biggest shared thoughts and goals are to make the pool appealing for kids. 

Braun said: “Nowadays, kids aren’t interested in too much and that’s where we’re taking the youth perspective and seeing what we are interested in.

“We are working on just getting way more outreach, because for most people there is a lack of knowledge so they have no idea what’s going on and the awesomeness,” Braun said, adding their main goal is to get that outreach and turn something great, greater. 

The boys are planning on implementing a new program in January. Braun said: “Our ‘two for one’ youth swim, which encourages kids to bring in their friends and if they do, the friend goes in for free.

“So that is going to help support popularity and bring in more numbers.” 

Bolin shared that as pool commissioner, the biggest support to give the boys is to listen. 

He said: “They’re dedicating their time away from family and the different things that they do.

“It’s up to us to make sure we’re listening and we’re allowing them to be involved in the capacity they want to be.”