Heading into this year, the City of Dawson Creek planned on upgrading its facilities and addressing its ongoing water shortage with a long-term solution.
In 2025, Dawson Creek’s mayor said the city council and staff improved the quality of infrastructure and facilities, continued efforts to better the books, and hosted community events.
“There’s quite a bit we did around the roads, like street paving – we did multiple streets and are trying to catch that up. We’re making some progress,” said Mayor Darcy Dober.
The city also upgraded playgrounds and trails, including servicing local parks and planting trees downtown as part of its beautification initiative.
“Significant work (was done) at the Kenn Borek Aquatic Centre,” Dober continued. Work in the aquatic centre concluded this October, after a delay while the city regrouted its lap pool, according to staff.
“Asset management has been a big one that we’ve been working on. Our financial situation improved since last year,” said the mayor.
Heading into this year, a major concern was the Kiskatinaw River’s lowering flows. The river currently is the sole water source for this south Peace city and some rural residents.
As conditions worsened, the city enacted water conservation measures. Council heard 150 days of stored water remained in September and declared a state of local emergency in the following month.
“Our short-term plan with water has been progressing,” said Dober – referencing the city’s application for an overland water transfer system to temporarily connect it to the Peace River while efforts to construct a water pipeline continue.
“We have a phenomenal council that I’m proud of. Also, the city team – we have a phenomenal group at the city from our leadership all the way through. (They) really come to work and they show up every day for our community. I’m just proud of the city.”
Dawson Creek also hosted the Para Cup earlier this month and saw athletes from four countries face off in the Ovintiv Events Centre. The United States took home gold and Team Canada won silver.
“You get to see some of the adversities that these athletes have been through and learn their stories and just see how they’ve overcome them. They’re representing their countries at the highest level of sport, so it’s phenomenal to see and it’s amazing to be able to host them and have a facility that can host them in the Peace,” explained the mayor.
Dober expressed interest in bringing another Hockey Canada event to the city, but said details are under wraps for now. Looking to next year, the city’s priorities will largely stay the same as city councillors and staff work to complete active projects ahead of the 2026 municipal election.
