City to schedule referendum on new pool in late 2026
The City of Fort St. John intends to hold a referendum on a new pool in October 2026, once designs and cost estimates are announced.
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The City of Fort St. John intends to hold a referendum in late 2026 to determine the public opinion on a new pool.
Plans have been in motion to replace the North Peace Leisure Pool, operated by the Peace River Regional District (PRRD), since 2017, when the district formed a committee to work on a replacement facility.
Fort St. John assumed control of constructing a new aquatic facility in August after the PRRD announced it was stepping away and giving the reins to the city.
In September, the city finalized a new aquatic facility working group which includes councillors Sarah MacDougall and Trevor Bolin. Bolin previously served on the PRRD’s steering committee for the aquatic facility for eight years.
A tentative location was announced in October after a letter of intent was signed between the city and XJ Evergreen Estates for a site in the Parkwood Southlands development across from the Naache Commons development and Margaret “Ma” Murray Community School.
In early December the council gathered feedback from three major sports organizations based in Fort St. John which could make use of a new recreational facility.
While not officially scheduled, the city council has stated a referendum will be held in October 2026 once designs and cost estimates for the facility have been finalized.
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The council also heard from a concerned resident during a public hearing for its Official Community Plan in December, who asked about a $400 million design he had seen.
Bolin took the time to confirm any designs released or otherwise at this time pre-dated the city taking over the project, would have originated from the PRRD and were no longer applicable to the new facility.
“In the new year, the city will bring forward prices, designs, etc., geared towards [a referendum] in October 2026, in which people will vote on the new facility,” Bolin said.
No designs, cost estimates or blueprints have been released by the city at this time, but more details will be available ahead of the referendum.
So far, the city has diverted $250,000 previously set aside for parking lot construction at City Hall to be used in researching the new facility.
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