New Pavilion for Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park
- From left, Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall, Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dominick Frederick and architect Bruce Carscadden hold a rendering of the new pavilion
Prince George, B.C. – Prince George’s premier park is about to get a major upgrade.
Today the city announced plans to revitalize the former picnic shelter area – the decrepit structure was torn down in 2014 – and replace it with what will become known as the Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park Pavilion.
The final price tag is expected to reach somewhere between $700,000 to $725,000 – the provincial government will chip in $25,000 for a monument inside the pavilion while the balance will be split between the federal government and the city.
Rendering of pavilion project – courtesy City of Prince George
The shelter will not only include picnic tables but historical information about the Lheidli T’enneh and their relationship to the land.
The city partnered with the Lheidli T’enneh on the intitiative (though the First Nation did not contribute financially) and Mayor Lyn Hall said the “sky’s the limit” regarding its future use.
(click here for 360 degree video of project)
“We’re so close to the water park that I think what we’re going to see here is families utilizing this for picnics, bringing their families down to the water park and utilizing it for that. What a great setting.”
“I think it’s a good thing happening between us and the city,” added Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dominick Frederick. “Working together with the city to help look at designs and what should go inside it relating to our history.”
The design was created by Carscadden Stokes McDonald Architects out of Vancouver.
“It’s a really nice, modern interpretation with historical features,” said Bruce Carscadden, a partner with the firm.
“Peaked roof references across to the escarpment on the other side and it kind of opens broadly to the centre of the park. There’s a slight curve to the plan that references the kind of the confluence of the paths in the park and makes reference to the rivers as well.”
He said the project will be tendered next month to local contractors. Carscadden expects work will be completed sometime this summer.
Comments
OMG, I am speechless.
$700K for a shelter. Sounds about right.
$700K for a roof to eat under…”Sky’s the limit!” …. says the Mayor.
Suddenly a $1M refrigeration system for the outdoor ice oval sounds like a heck of a good deal!
Maybe next we can get a year round outdoor pool in the park. We can heat it with a geo thermal system from the river.. maybe just another measly couple million.
BUT some money to help out low income seniors, under cared for military vets or to solve the homeless issue for the poor?..nah!
Just waiting for the next P.A.C. announcement..
The City’s spin on this is, ‘Don’t worry PG taxpayers, the Feds kicked in half! That should make us all very happy!’.
But the sad reality is the there’s only one taxpayer, and we have an irresponsible Federal government bent on putting us so deep into debt our grandchildren will be paying the price.
But at least we get a $700k shade structure to keep the sun off to keep us distracted from thinking about the absurd cost.
Good point Rusty. The Feds chip in money out of our right pocket, the City chips in money from our left pocket. Then the Province chips in the change from our change jar! In the end, the govt takes credit for their charitable ideas.
Yes, a new picnic shelter is needed in the park. A nicely built log structure, of local design, featuring local wood, local craftsmen and native carving would’ve been appropriate while also done at an appropriate price. Something tells me that none of this project will feature any of these traits.
I am happy the City is replacing the old structure. It got a lot of use during inclement weather and was a great way for seniors to stay out of the hot sun.
The Mayor’s two favourite things, spending our money and a photo op!
700k, who pays for that? Oh wait..
I think it’s a good idea. It should make it so it’s used that much more.. the name is a bit long though..
“The final price tag is expected to reach somewhere between $700,000 to $725,000 – the provincial government will chip in $25,000 for a monument inside the pavilion while the balance will be split between the federal government and the city.”
So, it looks like something in the neighbourhood of $700,000.00 will be split between the federal government and the city.
The story then states “The city partnered with the Lheidli T’enneh on the pavilion”.
Ok, my question is twofold! First of the approx. $700,000.00, how much will be the Fed’s share and how much will be the City’s share?
And then secondly, of the City’s share, how much of this portion of the cost will be picked up by the City and how much will be picked up by our partner, the Lheidli T’enneh?
The Lheidli T’enneh did not contribute financially.
I guess them giving us a blessing to pay for a monument, dedicated to their culture, is somehow a win for the taxpayer?
Good to see that the picnic shelter at Fort George Park is finally going to be replaced. I can’t spell or pronounce the new name for the park. Nor do I want to.
Looks to me like the City and federal governments are paying about 500,000.00 more than they should, for a bloody roof structure.
Is the structure made of unobtanium and roofed with gold?
Even with the costs of an out of town architect, I cannot understand how such a simple structure could cost so much.
metalman.
I thought to get your or your organization or business name on a pavilion, building or such you had to contribute financially towards the construction of it. Why isn’t the Lheidli T’enneh not contributing a cent and getting their name on it?
You really have to ask? But it’s nice to see that stories involving the local native bands are not being automatically shut down to opinions now though.
I am really confused. This would replace the old shelter thing at the graveyard? If so I was under the impression that wasn’t city land but instead band land.
What is it exactly?
band lad that the city pays for.
AAww isn’t that sweet , the druggies will get a new place to hang out .
Natives are not the only history in the area. Will that be told also and a recognition of the oringinal name of the park?
They keep spelling “Fort George Park” wrong….
Lheidli T’enneh, time for you to cough up some of these costs!
This is just the next step in the eventual repatriation of that so called parkland. When it is Lheidli T’enneh property again who knows what they will do with it.
The 700 thousand dollar shelter is just the icing on a complete fiasco. Will the true story be told about how that land was legally and mutually purchased/sold from/by the band? Will the truth be told how there was a trading post there? With a stroke of a pen, City Council has erased the true valuable history of the beginnings of our City, dishonoring our pioneers that carved this City and at the same time slighting our first nation friends of honour who amicably sold the land. No one was defrauded in the transaction, except our pioneers and the City residents and tax payers by a misguided council.
I’m shocked and surprised that there are open comments on this subject. Usually when it comes to aboriginal stuff, they shut it down right away.
I don’t know why this never appeared on any capital expenditure report or pre-budget capital future project on anything I have ever seen from the city. It’s just kind of dropped onto the scene.
That picnic shelter is actually going to cost over 700K ?
That is an actual and absolute joke. You can buy a new 4000 plus sq foot home with land with real walls and floors and bathrooms and top end appliances and paved driveway and garage in this city for under 600k, yet taxpayers think it’s ok to build a roof on donated land that will cost over 700K ?
Seriously, am I missing something here? Where is this cost coming from Or is someone getting a kickback?
That’s actually not meant to be a joke. I really think the taxpayers of this city should see where the costs are on this roof being built in FORT GEORGE PARK, and our fine mayor and council should explain them.
Thanks
How much cash is Dominic getting out of this deal?
Doesn’t anyone at City Hall have a clue? The shelter is a good idea but the cost is ridiculous! I totally agree with BAWS.
I’m no expert but the cost seems awfully high to me too. Didn’t a cost breakdown come with the proposal?
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