Charter for Fort St. John’s new pool project unanimously approved

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. —  Planning continues by the City of Fort St. John on the new pool ahead of the October 2026 referendum. 

During the March 9th meeting of the City of Fort St. John council, the charter for a new aquatic facility to replace the North Peace Leisure Pool was unanimously approved. 

The project charter is a guiding document intended to define its purpose, scope, deliverables, timeline, governance structure and stakeholders. 

During the February 23rd committee of the whole meeting, the city’s aquatic facility working group presented the results of public engagement, highlighting residents’ choices and preferences for features in the new facility. 

According to the charter, one of the key goals is targeting an average tax impact on each residence of “no more than $40 per month.” It says this will be achieved by securing a variety of grant funding and partnerships, thereby reducing the amount the municipality needs to borrow. 

“It serves as a foundational document that aligns [the] council and the project team on [the] project‘s direction while clarifying accountability and decision-making authority,” staff stated in the accompanying report. 

“The New Aquatic Facility Project Charter also ensures a structured and coordinated approach to project delivery, expectations, oversight and reporting processes, supporting effective resource planning and transparent implementation.”

The charter also outlined plans to break ground on the project in the spring of 2027, pending the results of the referendum scheduled for October 2026. 

To read the complete charter and staff report, see below.