Shaping the Future of Sam Jacks and Steve Omischl Recreation Sites
The City of North Bay is shaping future plans for the Sam Jacks Recreation Complex and the Steve Omischl Sports Complex.
Consultations with facility user groups, local schools, and neighbouring residents are already underway and will be followed in the coming weeks by engagement opportunities with the broader community. The project is being led by Trace Planning and Design following a competitive Request for Proposals process.
The planning and community consultations will culminate in a master plan for each site, building on previous studies, including the Multi-use Recreational Facility Feasibility Study and the Parks Master Plan. Initial findings are expected this spring.
“Developing a master plan for the Sam Jacks Recreation Complex and the Steve Omischl Sports Complex will provide a roadmap for the next 10 years for both facilities and inform future decisions regarding the long-term recreation needs of the community,” said Chair of Community Services, Coun. Justine Mallah.
This planning process will guide the future use of City-owned lands at and around the Steve Omischl site and, as recreation programming transitions to the new Community and Recreation Centre, help reimagine the Sam Jacks site and surrounding lands. The goal is to ensure they continue to serve residents with complementary uses, community spaces, and amenities that reflect local needs.
The plans will complement the soon-to-be-completed (August 2026) net-zero carbon Community and Recreation Centre at the Omischl site, which will feature a walking track, a large community room, 14 dressing rooms, more than 400 parking spaces, and two ice pads. The Omischl site will also soon include a multi-use cricket ground, with construction planned to begin later this year through a progressive design-build approach.
As part of this process, a survey focused on the West Ferris neighbourhood is now open. The City of North Bay wants to better understand local recreational needs, how existing spaces are being used, and what priorities residents have for future amenities. West Ferris residents are encouraged to share their feedback. The survey is anonymous, and all individual responses will remain confidential.
For project updates, visit: https://northbay.ca/projects/steve-omischl-sam-jacks-master-plans/
