FORT ST. JOHN -- The City of Fort St. John is moving forward with improvements to Kin Park.

The second phase will see upgrades to the eastern portion of the park.

The city had been enhancing the infrastructure of the park, located between Northern Lights Drive and 96th Street, for the last three years.

As part of the latest phase, an asphalt parking lot with lights, washrooms, a playground, concrete seating, and a 300 metre illuminated multi-use trail will be added.

Preparation work will also take place to add an asphalt pump track with lighting, site furnishings, and landscaping.

For the completion of Kin Park upgrades, the city received a $994,500 grant from the province through the Provincial Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program.

The remainder of funds to complete park enhancements is supplied through the Peace River Agreement.

The city is set to award a contract in the amount of $2,491,239.23 to S. Young Enterprises to complete the work.

The city has already pre-ordered a playground through funds allocated in its 2023 Capital Budget in the amount of $333,082.41.

Washrooms with vandalism safeguards and equipped with auto-locking devices have also been pre-ordered in the amount of $233,395.75 with delivery expected in May.

A contract that includes the installation of a $630,000 pump track from a manufacturer in Ontario has also been secured.

The total budget for the eastern-portion of park upgrades is projected at $4,480,000.00.

A construction schedule is yet to be agreed upon.

The city says, they will provide public notice of shutdowns in the park but will work to keep existing playgrounds open when possible.

More information on Kin Park upgrades can be found on the City of Fort St. John website.