Ninja course, rock wall top wish list for new Fort St. John pool

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A picture of the lap pool at the North Peace Leisure Pool. — The facility is intended to replace the North Peace Leisure Pool, pictured. (File)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John council is weighing whether to include popular amenities in cost estimates for the city’s proposed new pool.

In the council’s committee of the whole meeting on February 23rd, members of the aquatic facility working group presented results from recent engagement, including a ‘Vote 4 Features: Dive and Decide’ survey that drew 1,603 responses.

Survey highlights showed 76 per cent of respondents believe it is important to build a new gymnasium, while 14 per cent expressed concern about the project’s cost and tax impacts.

The top three aquatics features most wanted by residents were a ninja cross obstacle course above the lap pool (21 per cent), an indoor rock climbing wall (20 per cent) and a second waterslide (14 per cent).

Council was asked whether it would include those features in the initial design or through future programming.

“I support the idea of including them in the cost assessment,” said Councillor Gord Klassen, while also stating the council does not have to fully commit to having those features.

Councillor Jim Lequiere echoed the approach, saying the city should stick with the “meat and potatoes” of the project if funding does not allow for the added features.

During the presentation, the working group also outlined refinements to the pool design, including a larger hot tub, a splash pad connection to the leisure pool and a cold plunge.

Comparisons show the proposed aquatics space would be approximately 103 per cent larger than the current North Peace Leisure Pool.

Mayor Lilia Hansen stressed residents will decide how the project proceeds.

“It will be the residents of Fort St. John that make the ultimate decision,” Hansen said.

Refined designs, cost estimates and preparation for public funding approval are expected in March, April and May, respectively, ahead of the referendum planned for October.