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KGV - Deserves to be Saved, Even if Just in Part.

By 250 News

King George V school as it looks today

Prince George City Council has approved a recommendation that it "accepts in principle  the rataining and rehabilitating  of the original KGV School  or a portion thereof. Council has also approved a recommendation to  examine three options to  preserve the building.  One calls for the rehabilitation of the old building and having it incorporated in the new Duchess Park School.  Another calls for the building to be saved as a stand alone, and the third option  calls for the saving of just the facade and build part of the  new Duchess Park School behind it.

Heritage Commission member Jo Graber says costs involved in saving King George V school as a valued heritage site in Prince George are not as high as some fear. The Heritage Commission has already made it clear the site is valued for more than nostalgia. Graber says from a personal opinion, he says this building  should be at the top of a heritage conservation point of view.  The cost to save the original building is pegged around $2.5 million dollars.

Built around 1920, it is the only building of it's kind still standing and was designed by an architect who happened to be the Mayor of the day .  If the building can make it to the National Heritage Registry, its beleived there would be some funds available to restore the  building.

Councilor Don Zarowski says he  wants more information,  as he fears moving too quickly would be cavalier. Councilor Rogers says he is interested in finding some way to save thereal thing, but its a real challenge on the practical side to find the money, which in this case would be about $2.5 million dollars. But as Rogers says there is no second chance once the wrecking ball has moved in.

Councillor Skakun says he would like to  see if there are some creative ways to find the funding, and Councilor Sherry Sethen wants to facilitate some sort of discussion among all the stakeholders.  

Councilor Murry Krause says we have to start talking about what price we place on Heritage as once its gone, you can't retrieve it.  

Councilor Cliff Dezell says if Council thinks it is essential to save the original building, then Council needs to work with the School District, although he believes the building needs to be preserved, he reminded Council they need to start a dialogue.

As for Councilor Don Bassermann,  he says if all else fails he would like to see  the facade preserved but he is very concerned about the price tag.

Heritage Commission member Jo Graber says the site is large enough to handle saving KGV and building a new Duchess Park.  To put the size of the site into perspective, Graber says the property is large enough to  be home to fit  a new Duchess Park, D.P. Todd and Lakewood School. He says we need to do more study as costs to save the building would be directly tied to its planned use.

Councilor Scott says he would like to see some of the school saved, but is very concerned about the costs.


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