Prince George, B.C. – Interested in learning more about the rich history of downtown Prince George?

If yes, you may want to consider participating in a free guided tour.

They start today and are being offered by The Prince George Public Library and will be led by UNBC History student Deanna Foster.

“You know being a local and growing up in the area you’d think that you’d really know most of what’s gone on in Prince George but as you dig deeper what gets me is you’re actually learning something new everyday.”

For example?

“A lot of people like myself, I didn’t really know anything about the Prince George Arena which was built in 1939,” she says. “And for about 15 years it was a really important recreational centre in Prince George (it was located in the present day parking lot of the Four Seasons Pool) – one of the first fully outfitted arenas in B.C.”

That is until a natural disaster struck.

“Unfortunately in the winter of 1956 a heavy snowfall happened and the roof collapsed. Fortunately there were no fatalities.”

She says that’s just one example of the kinds of stories people can expect to hear.

“Each tour is going to be a little bit different depending on the group,” says Foster. “Some groups are going to be more into the art pieces located downtown, while other groups will really want to learn more about the heritage buildings.”

The tours will run 11 am until noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays from today through August 27.