the broken typewriter

A shorter version of this article will appear in Energeticcity.ca as The Broken Typewriter is assisting with their local government coverage during the election.

---

After months of public consultation, reports, a Master Plan and a cost assessment, a decision has at last been made to secure the future operations of the North Peace Fall Fairgrounds.

Peace River Regional District board of directors voted unanimously to transition the North Peace Regional Park, commonly known as the North Peace Fall Fair grounds, from a regional park to a community park, and to allow the North Peace Fall Fair Society to continue to operate it.

The decision was made at the April 10 regular board meeting, after over a year of work on the part of the community, the society and the regional district to determine how best to ensure that the North Peace Regional Park (NPRP) continues to operate and be enjoyed safely by the region’s residents for years to come.

The NPRP has been the home of the North Peace Fall Fair and 4-H Achievement Days for many years. It was made into a regional park in 1979 but has always been operated by the Fall Fair Society, which invests a considerable amount of volunteer resources into the facility each year to keep it running. Residents and businesses in the region help by making generous donations and in-kind support every year.

But in recent years, concerns were raised about the future of the park when it became clear that some of the buildings and other infrastructure were deteriorating, putting the hoped-for upgrades to the Adeline Kelly Building on hold.

Capital and operating funds were being allocated from Area B funding sources to help with the running of the park. Grant funding from Area B was used in 2024 to upgrade and repair the bleachers, improve safety and accessibility by building ramps to access the concession booths, for example.

The hodgepodge of funding from Area B and the Regional Parks function caused concern for both the Society and then-Area B director Jordan Kealy.

In 2024 a Master Plan was commissioned by the regional district to examine the park’s facilities, operations and provide guidance for future development, including programs and the facility itself. The public consultation portion demonstrated overwhelming support in keeping the park operating as it has for decades, with the addition of programming to help promote and educate people about the value of agriculture.

Four options for the future of the NPRP came out of the Master Plan, with regional district staff, the Society and the board deciding that Option 1: Community Park, Society Operated was the best solution.

A community park is generally a smaller, neighbourhood park that serves residents of a local neighbourhood, whereas a regional park is designed to serve a larger area.

NPRP will be operated by the Society, funded by the Community Parks function, through Area B. Although the funding of the park has changed somewhat, the actual operation of the park will continue as usual.

The board also voted to authorize an updated Use and Occupancy Agreement for a one-year term to formalize the operation of the NPRP by the North Peace Fall Fair Society. The previous agreement expired in March.