British ColumbiaHudson’s Hope, in northeast B.C., built its community hall in the 1960s. But after the hall was closed two years ago due to health and safety issues, locals are reimagining a new facility that would include a library and indoor playground. Old community hall was built in 1960s and closed two years ago due to health and safety concernsTom Summer · CBC News · Posted: Nov 23, 2025 6:58 PM EST | Last Updated: 8 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Sandbags line the entrance of the old Hudson’s Hope Community Hall, preventing water from flooding its downstairs. It was closed two years ago because it’s no longer safe for residents to use. (Tom Summer/CBC )The District of Hudson’s Hope, B.C., is looking to build a new community hall with a library and playground, after its old facility was permanently closed due to health and safety concerns.The new hall is projected to cost more than $33 million. Hudson’s Hope is located approximately 85 kilometres southwest of Fort St. John in northeast B.C. Its old hall was built in the 1960s, and remediation was too costly, says Mayor Travous Quibell. This forced the town — with a population of about 1,000 — to research its next steps.District Coun. Tashana Winnicky led a planning committee for a new hall.”We want everybody from children to seniors, all having a space where they can come together and make memories,” she said. Hudson Hope’s old hall is still full of community items, including memorabilia like this Lions Club banner. The local club was instrumental in supporting the old community hall when its doors first opened in 1967. (Tom Summer/CBC)Winnicky says a new hall would also serve as a warming shelter during cold snaps, and act as an emergency operations centre during wildfires. It would be built on the same site, and contain an indoor playground, commercial kitchen, library and meeting rooms. Quibell says the old hall was well-used, which highlights the need for a replacement. “We have had countless weddings, funerals, community celebrations,” he said.”Many, many lives have passed through this hall over the last 60 years, and we want to keep that spirit going, and we want to expand on it.”Borrowing big moneyIt’s a financially challenging project for the small community. The district is looking at grants and partnerships, but will likely have to borrow much of what it needs. A decision on borrowing money would be put to community members through a vote, Quibell said.”We have very limited options in terms of raising capital for a project like this. So borrowing is definitely on the table.”After serving the community for many years, the kitchen in the community hall closed along with the rest of the building in 2023. (Tom Summer/CBC )The total estimated cost of the new hall is $33.2 million, although the district says that’s a preliminary estimate and it’s looking for ways to reduce costs. “That $33 million, it feels large and it feels intense, especially for a community of this size,” Winnicky said. Of that, $18.4 million would cover the cost of construction, $6.2 million for escalation and contingency costs, $2.4 million for furnishings and equipment, plus another $6.2 million for project management, permits and fees. The main floor of the old community hall in Hudson’s Hope. Additions and repairs have been made to the building over the past 60 years, but continuing to fix the building became too costly and impractical. (Tom Summer/CBC)Winnicky says the district is also expecting its budget to be reduced by roughly $4 million spread out over the next five years. This is due to a recalculation of pipeline values by B.C. Assessment, which has left many communities with less tax revenue. “That’s something that’s really not replaceable,” Winnicky said of the lost revenue.The question of whether to borrow funds for a new hall will be put to the community in a vote next year. The result will determine whether the replacement project goes ahead. ABOUT THE AUTHORTom Summer is a reporter for CBC News in Fort St. John. Born and raised in the Peace Country, he previously reported for the Alaska Highway News, covering community issues, courts, municipal politics, and Site C, while travelling across Northeast B.C. working on the traditional territory of Treaty 8 First Nations. You can reach him at tom.summer@cbc.ca
New and much-needed community hall in B.C.’s Hudson’s Hope would cost $33M
