What’s With the Blue Bin?
Thursday, June 27, 2013 @ 3:57 AM
Prince George, B.C.- We’ve been getting calls about the “blue bin” that’s appeared on the north side of P.G. Pulpmill Road at the base of the Cutbanks. What is it, and who put it there?
We put some calls in to City Hall and here’s what we’ve learned.
This is not a bus shelter.
What it is, is a shelter for those who like to “run the Cutbanks” to place their gear.
The City is trying to discourage parking along either side of P.G. Pulpmill Road, and has posted no parking signs. Cutbank runners/climbers, had been parking their vehicles along both sides of that roadway. So, one of the local Rotary Clubs came to the rescue with a plan for a special shelter.
With the City’s blessing, the shelter, complete with a bench and nine cubicles, was constructed on the Rotary’s dime off the northside of the roadway, just west of the spot where the old Sand Blast competition used to be held . For those newer to the City, Sandblast was an August event that had people sign up to ride down the hill on a variety of things, skis, cardboard, and eventually someone tried to ride a couch down the hill. That couch went out of control and took out a couple of spectators. The couch incident spelled the end of Sand Blast.
So, with the new shelter, the City is hoping people will park their vehicles at the McMillan Creek Fish Park, and walk to the shelter where they can store their gear until they have finished their Cutbank ascending/descending activities.
And now you know.
Comments
Should have capped the ends of the tubing.
Gotta bitch about something don’t ya?!?
What an eyesore! They should paint it sandy brown so it blends in with ground!
Haven’t been on this site for almost 6 months as the lack of intelligent posting by so many just detracts from the otherwize excellent coverage of local events.
Good on you Rotary for having the insight and ability to add another service to our city.
Noway and Chevy2000 – go volunteer for something and stop being so negative!
Great idea, great initiative, and thanks to all who had the gumption and made the effort to make this little improvement to our City.
A little seat inside so a thief can sit down while he/she decides what to steal? Intelligent postings? Hmmm? Isn’t that based on personal interpretations? I think so.
Great idea indeed but I would NOT leave my gear in it if there was no way to Lock it up. Would be great to take a lock and throw it on a metal locker door for some measure of security.
It would just feel weird to place my stuff in there (unsecured) and then leave it while I left.
It’s a GREAT start though *smiles*.
So while we are figuring out the new things around town, what is it about the new cell towers that are very big and low to the ground, like around the Tim Horton’s on Central ? The antenna look like they are aimed right into the windows of the townhouse there.
I believe I saw a Telus truck by one of them. Is this for the LTE expansion or what purpose ?
well, coming from someone who lives on this busy truck commuter road my family was very happy to see this put up. You have no idea how frustrating and scary it is when you have vehicles parked on both sides of the street DESPITE the states no parking and parking is located at Mcmillian creek OR people on the side of the road changing their shoes ect. For people who do use this hill they know that this is NOT a sketchy area of town nor do theives and thugs and PAK’s hang around here. It is usually families and people who are serious about their fitness and exercise. I think the only change would have to maybe make it a bit more open so if you are climbing the hill you are able to see you items that you have stored in the cubbies.
one another comment one this I dont understand about people using this is hill is… Why must you park on the side of the road to get the a hill you are going to climb, run, walk? Is is really that much farther to walk from the designated parking area? you know seeing as how you out to seek exercise anyway?… just a thought ……..
So far the most intelligent posting has been by Harbinger and newtechie. Cudos to you!!
It is prefabricated, so I would think that if the thing is supposed to have some doors on the cubicles with latches to allow someone to place a padlock on it, they would have done it in the shop so it would get painted there.
I wonder why we would have the ability to lock things securely at a pool, etc. but not here in the open.
The people climbing up hill, who one would think would have the greatest interest in monitoring the security of the “valuables” they left behind, cannot even see into the platform closed off in three directions.
I mean, think about it folks. People with backpacks are not going to be viewed as suspicious, so they come along the road, the same as a legit hill climber, walk into the cubicle, kneel or sit down, take a smaller pack or two, put it into their backpack, and walk back to where they came from.
So, I am the hill climber. I park my car further away, take my walking /climbing gear (as light as possible) with me and leave the rest in the car. Why on earth would I need a two staged gear and risk getting the one left behind stolen. Or, better still, why leave my car where I cannot see it so that someone can go and steal from it. That is a remote parking spot with much less security than parking lots in the city which have more people around it. Maybe they are putting a security camera at the parking lot.
And, then there is safety of person.
The way it sits right now, without some flat ground in front (that may yet happen not that this is in place) it would be easy to misstep, slip on the wet grass which is sloping down to the ditch and end up with a leg caught between the ground and the platform.
Also, this is a great trap if someone wants to accost someone. Vehicles driving by cannot monitor it because by the time they have a good viewing angle they have a split second to look in. Just think about it. Ever wonder why bus stops are not made out of opaque sides and backs?
Amateurs at it once more.
So, what do you think opine? just another negative post? Or is there a bit of rational thought showing?
You do not have to answer that. ;-)
One would think that if you are out for the execise you would park at McMillan Park and walk to where you want to accend the hill.
In fact the original trail up to these cutbanks starts somewhere around the park and you could go up from there and then down the cutbanks.
Use your car trunk for storage at least that has a lock.
This seems to be a huge solution to a non issue.
“nor do theives and thugs and PAK’s hang around here”
Excuse me, but is PAK’s short for something I am not familiar with?
Ever see how quickly news moves through the “streets” of town.
There is nothing there now. Anyone who has a car can monitor their car as they climb. Now the car is less secure, and any equipment they leave in the blue bin is less secure than it could be.
The whole thing seems to centre around people who love to do extreme exercise, but can’t walk from the parking lot.
Ever though how dangerous it is to walk that road?
This thing smacks of not having been thought through very well, unless there is a lot more to come in developing the full project for maximum safety of hiker/climber, drivers along the road, and any equipment left unattended whether in the car or the blue bin.
Sorry, Palopu … one minute difference between posting the same notion of people supposedly exercising.
“…what is it about the new cell towers that are very big and low to the ground, like around the Tim Horton’s on Central ?”
They seem to be o.k. with all the people who fiercely objected to the new BC Hydro Smart Meters! Haven’t heard one complaint about these! Wonder what the emissions are from these things! I certainly wouldn’t want to live anywhere near them.
The issue may actually be the safety of walking the road. It is about 750 feet which is 2 blocks of walking along 3rd avenue or virtually the same walk one has when parked on the far end of the UNBC parking lot and the main entrance near the cafeteria.
They have phones along there in case someone gets into trouble.
Posted by: opine on June 27 2013 7:31 AM
Haven’t been on this site for almost 6 months as the lack of intelligent posting by so many just detracts from the otherwize excellent coverage of local events.
Good on you Rotary for having the insight and ability to add another service to our city.
Noway and Chevy2000 – go volunteer for something and stop being so negative!
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Ya, shame on you for voicing your opinion. Wait until Kim Jong-un hears of it.
I wonder who is liable if a motorist hits that thing??
“Ya, shame on you for voicing your opinion. Wait until Kim Jong-un hears of it.”
Opine has a point. First of all let me say that this is a great site for getting local news. In my opinion the best.
However many people who come here to voice an opinion wind up with not a discussion about their opinion on a certain matter, but a personal attack for having that opinion. Then they might think, to heck with the abuse. And so some potential intelligent interchange on the issues of the day is lost.
The numbsculls who respond to that by syaing “well go somewhere else then” are the same people who make the personal attacks instead of intelligent comments on issues.
Isn’t that the great thing about opinions? You can read them and decide for yourself whether you agree or not.
If it’s someone you don’t often agree with, skip over their comment. Or if you can’t handle someone having a different view, it’s probably best to skip the comments section altogether.
It seems that all too often when people disagree, they feel they have to resort to insults and personal attacks. Totally unneccesary.
‘PAK’ Punk ass kids as many like to call them.
Jim – why would a motorist hit the bin? it is no where near the road and in fact, there is a bike lane between the road and the bin as well.
I think having somewhere for people to sit at the bottom of the hill to change their shoes or empty them out is great for those who want to climb the hill. I am as a resident in the area very glad that they are trying to discourage people from parking on the road side. not only is it dangerous to the drivers as well as any one who is walking inthe bike or even using the bike lane as a bike lane. It is very difficult and dangerous especially in the early and late winter when cars are parked on the side and you have a large truck coming towards in, in your lane.
Gus – “ever thought how dangerous it is to walk that road’ again, there is a bike lane there and it is more than safe. There are always people walking and riding bikes up and down in that bike lane everyday and have yet to even hear of a close call. People who drive that road are aware and the trucks are VERY cutious even when we are at the mail boxes getting out mail, if they have room they move way over. So i dont see how this road is any more dangerous than oh any other road in Prince George that has a bike lane or sidewalk.
Johnny – well said!
gus:
1) maybe we should get rid of all things in this community because there is a potential that someone could assaulted. If people are worried about safety, bring a friend or two.
2)Yes there is a steep bank, its not quite finished yet, it will be graded so you can walk in.
3)As for locks, if your worried about your stuff getting stolen, don’t leave it in the cubby. Also, 9 lockers… how long until someone decides to leave locks on the doors, this is an open facility, no one monitors how long a lock has been on.
4)It is made of steel for durability, it cannot be damaged by a rock from the snow plow. If it was made of glass, you would be saying it is gonna be broken after the first winter.
5) There is a window in the back, if someone sketchy is sitting in there, don’t go in.
Jim… I would say the idiot who hits it is liable, since it isn’t in the road which is where your supposed to drive.
For those of you who may not be aware, this City, like many others, has a group of people who meet on larger projects than the blue bin project, but do discuss in a civil fashion around a table the pros and cons of projects from many points of view, including public security, safety, aesthetics, accessibility, etc. That group is called the Advisory Committee on Development Design.
In those meetings developers/builders present their projects and the purpose is primarily to âtest driveâ the proposal past people who have various types of expertise. The test drive is to look at what is good about the project as well as what, using politically correct terminology, may be improved about the project. It is, as the title says, ADVISORY.
So, being aware of what happens at such meetings both from a presenter point of view and a member point of view, there are some comments here that are similar to what would happen at such a meeting. Of course, they are not recorded. The minutes are often not reflective of some of the comments made, but the conclusions reached are generated as recommendations.
So, I think sassyâs comments are in keeping with a rebuttal to comments made.
On the other hand, most of Porterâs comments carry little weight, in my opinion. The first one is especially a nonsensical defensive reaction to points made by people to probe how this might be improved.
The blue box project is, of course, far too small. But it is getting a similar kind of âtest driveâ on here.
I think any reasonable person would realize that nothing will change.
Maybe we can have a picture of this box posted on here next year, and the year after just to monitor its use over time.
I think it’s fine.. Just the colour needs work.. Makes it look like a trash bin
I think it will be much like the Airport Runway Expansion, or the **phantom** increase in traffic on the new Cameron St. Bridge. In other words, it will not be utilized to any extent, however might make a good spot for someone to spend the night out of the cold.
The number of people who actually climb the cutbanks is next to nil. Many many more people walk up and down the University Hill where do they leave their cars, and their **stuff**. ???? Do we need to build some **blue** boxes for them, or perhaps to make a distinction we could make the UNBC ones pink or green.
Palopu, “The number of people who actually climb the cutbanks is next to nil.” I work on Pulp Mill Road & probably like the people that live there could tell you, alot of people climb the cutbanks. I do get a kick out of the people that are there for the exersise but can’t walk the 100 yards from the parking lot to the trail head. From observation, a good number of those who go up & down usually leave shoes, sweaters even water bottles at the bottom so a place to put their stuff that is semi shielded from weather & out of the way of cyclists using the bike lane…Sure, why not.
There are people who go from Ginter up to the university underneath the bridge. Also a riding trail, I think.
I think it is a brilliant idea to use them at night for shelters. I mean, they have protection all around other than one side. They could probably get some grants from organizations that support the homeless.
Oh, the solid metal sides thing. They do make metal mesh of various configurations to allow visibility both ways.
http://www.encat.com.au/uploads/359/bus-stop-shelter-aluminium-a.jpg
But, hey, the swap shed look with handy shelves to leave stuff on is starting to grow on me. All we need is some notices on the walls, a bit of graffiti and we will look like a big city. ;-)
http://www.kabnsw.org.au/Portals/0/Gallery/Album/2/Byron%20Bay%20Bus%20shelter%20before.JPG
My opinion is that this is an eyesore and a waste of city money. I climb the cut banks regularly and take only my car key (from my car I park in the lot) and leave a water bottle at the bottom. I will never use this shelter because I can’t see my belonging. I agree that it will be interesting to see it a year from now.
Many times I have gone to park at that area to wander around and take pictures of the river and the creek. I’d say at least 75% we have bumped into people smoking weed. We have also bumped into people enjoying activities that people normally do without clothes. To say there are no “PAKs” and other trouble makers in the area is false. Personally, I wouldn’t leave my car there while I climbed the cut banks.
It’s a covered shoe rack that cost taxpayers absolutely Zero. Fine by me.
First heavy snow fall that cute blue box will be filled by the grader. Hope it is well anchored. Nice try by the way, but I should think that any normal person would either leave their things in the car at the parking lot or climb the cutbank ‘old school’ that is, without special cutbank exercise gear. Just think, what did people do 40 years ago before some entrepreneur invented customized gear for every conceivable type of exercise?
metalman.
I checked it out when I climbed the cutbacks last night. People who usually leave their gear at the bottom of the hill might use it when it is raining. A lot of people like to climb the cutbacks in the rain because it is MUCH easier when wet. The floor is steel mesh so you can dump the gravel from your shoes when you are done and you don’t have to stand on the side of the road.
It does, however, seem like a very kind hearted solution to a problem no one was asking to have solved.
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