City of Fort St. John pinpoints proposed location of new pool

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The City of Fort St. John may have found the location of its new pool. 

The city announced in a press release on Wednesday that it signed a letter of intent with XJ Evergreen Estates to explore a proposed site in the Parkwood Southlands development.

The proposed location, lot one, sits across from the Naache Commons development and Margaret “Ma” Murray Community School.

City officials said the site was chosen for its “convenient location,” room for future expansion and ability to serve residents across Fort St. John.

Mayor Lilia Hansen said the announcement reflects the community’s long-standing desire for a modern aquatic centre.

“We’ve heard from residents that a new aquatics facility is a priority, and this proposed location is a strong step toward making that vision a reality,” said Hansen. 

“We’re grateful to XJ Evergreen Estates for their willingness to explore the potential donation of this land and for partnering with the city to support this important project.”

Kris Wuthrich, managing director and owner of XJ Evergreen Estates, said the company is proud to be part of the project.

“Parkwood is excited about this partnership with the city,” Wuthrich said. “This project aligns with Parkwood’s commitment to a thoughtful, community-focused development and creates a legacy we can all be proud of.”

The proposed aquatics facility to replace the North Peace Leisure Pool has been in development since 2017. In August, the Peace River Regional District announced its withdrawal from the project, leaving Fort St. John solely responsible.

Following this, the city appointed two of its councillors to be on the new aquatic facility working group.

The City of Fort St. John said it will continue engaging with residents throughout the design process to ensure the facility meets community needs.

More information, including the announcement video below and a proposed site map, is available on the city’s Let’s Talk page.