The City of Fort St. John is seeking public feedback on what amenities and programs residents want in a new aquatic facility, after approving a concept for the two-phase project.
City council and staff will receive feedback from residents on this new two-phase pool project until Feb. 1. Input can be submitted online or in person, at a pop-up opportunity or a “coffee with council” session, staff wrote in an update on the project’s progress.
The city’s approach to developing the pool is twofold – in the first phase, identified needs of residents will be met. Items included in this phase of work include accessible lap and leisure pools, a sauna, an indoor fieldhouse, and a lobby, as well as support spaces.
A proposed 13-lane leisure pool will more than double the swimming space currently available. Dedicated lanes for swimming lessons are intended to help reduce the overcrowding casual users experience at the existing facility, staff said.
Phase two of the project will include an outdoor turf field and two gymnasiums. Work on the second phase can occur anytime up to ten years from when the first phase begins. If it is built in the future, its price tag will determine if a separate referendum is necessary.
“If this concept works, then we’ll proceed to getting the next level design and construction costs,” Darrell Blades, the deputy chief administrative officer at the city of Fort St John told councillors.
As it stands, construction is planned to begin in 2027, according to a report by city staff. Before the work commences, residents will vote in a referendum on the project, which is currently scheduled for this October.
“The idea is that our booth at the Trade Show in April will really focus on the cost of this facility and being able to answer questions at that time,” explained Blades.
With this project, staff say they are planning ahead, with the facility expected to be the city’s only pool for decades.
“We went out to 2050 as a benchmark, which would be about the half-life for this facility. So, it’s making sure that (in) 20-25 years we are still good, because we really need to get 50 years out of this next pool,” said Blades.
Data used to inform the decisions made regarding the pool is based on a “conservative” estimate for population growth of 1.8 per cent, as described by the deputy CAO.
It is still too early for staff to provide an idea on operating costs, he continued. After the scope of the project is solidified, and the city identifies any partnerships to help fund it, this bill will be generated. Staffing is expected to be upped so the city can provide additional swimming lessons and maintain the new facility.
