What a bunch of fools. Sounds like Don Zurowski is the only one not staring directly at the inside of his own intestines.

The most important thing to understand is while the city will get the benefits of a $50 million facility, the cost to the city, if it will happen, will be substantially less.

The assumption out there right now, based on various news reports that focussed only on the cost of the facility, is that the city would be paying for the entire shot, like it did for the Multiplex and Aquatic Centre, or the Civic Centre or new Police Station.

This is NOT the case for this project. The city would most likely be a partner for capital costs, but the project would get tens of millions of dollars from the federal and provincial governments.

Everyone should read, and re-read and fully understand what Sharon Cochran said:

"Then, there would be a detailed capital plan developed which will focus on the site and procurement plan and identify the financial sources for the project (provincial, federal, private, corporate, endowment and potentially from the City.)"

This is not all on the backs of city taxpayers like so many other projects. When the feds and province kick in tens of millions of dollars, your income taxes won't go up a penny. And any city taxes needed will be more than worth the price, both economically and socially. What was outlined tonight demonstrates this project can offer a very high ROI, and the next step is all about achieving a huge value from the investment.

I suggest this report has made the case for an investment more than any other civic facility built in the last 20 years.

And finally, it's better that we get the downtown infrastructure investment dollars instead of Quebec or Vancouver.

Here's our chance.

What is going on? We have a city and area of perhaps 80,000 residents. This thing is going to accomodate about 800 people, if it utilized. Simple math says that maybe, maybe >1% of the population will benefit by it. The one million revenue cited is a non- figure as it doesn't say how long it is projected for this to become a fact, or how. I think the majority of PG residents have far more realistic, basic needs than this. Improved health care, more shelter for the homeless, even less potholes. I haven't done a cost analysis on it, but maybe it is even cheaper to charter a plane to take the 1% of the population to Vancouver periodically so they can indulge in their want for a theatre.

If we have to be called rednecks for this attitude, let's be compassionate rednecks, with better health services, and less people sleeping on the street.

In short, let's start thinking in terms of what is needed and what would be nice, but is not a neccesity. Believe it or not, you politicians, there is only so much money in the pot. That's something most of us know.

Has anyone told city council that we are on the brink of a recession? Not really the time to spend 50 plus million on "extras".

@ RUEZ:

"Not really the time to spend 50 plus million"

Please do read my comment above. The city, and the city taxpayer, would be spending considerably LESS than $50 million on this project. That's what the next step is all about.

I'm thinking that since we're on the brink of a recession, isn't it a good idea to find a way for the feds and the province to make a $30 - $40 million or so investment on an important catalyst for additional downtown development?

Don't put it downtown. Build a 800 seat facility next to the existing 300 seat playhouse ( there the two different sized theaters they wanted ), join the two buildings with the meeting / admin spaces and have something attractive at the entrance / busiest intersection than a casino, beat up old rollerdome or if the city planners had their way, a car sales lot.

Cost to the city, before partners, maximum of 25 million.

Instead they want to build it downtown so the patron's cars can nicely be vandalized while they are in at a performance, and support the continued operation of the downtown crowd.

Ever wonder why smaller towns to the south of us have had amenities such as this for many years? Why their schools are better buildings, streets are cleaner, general appearance is much better? Take a look at some of the notes above . . . SMALL THINKERS! Our only hope is that those that post here are not representative of the PG citizens at large.

"..That the Centre will drive the economic development of downtown Prince George
The Centre will play a significant role in the cultural, economic and
That the Centre will drive the development of arts programs at local and regional schools, colleges and the University.
That the Centre is fundamentally about creating new opportunities for local students, artists and arts organizations to create and present their work.
That the Centre will present world-class art and entertainment, enhancing the quality of life of those who live and work in the region..."

Wasn't this all said about that dud "Rack of Ribs" building that the city built near the Civic Center? Now that is one building the city would be better off without!
Do these consultants just copy the same stuff from past applications for taxpayers money?

Yeah, I have wondered whelen, but chalked it up to nicer climates attracting more whackos and complainers. Who ever pays for the construction of a new pac, it sure seems like a lot of money for 800 seats. What concerns me is not that a few want to have this thing built, but the operating costs. They never seem to include the considerable expense that goes along with keeping the building(s) in good condition, all the ongoing maintenance, of course a whole new round of management, staff and the people below them that actually get the work done. It would mean yet another draining budget to include in the overall cost of operating the city, and it would be unionized city workers too, would'nt it?
metalman.

That is simply nuts even talking about putting a theater downtown. Look at the nice places that are down there already that no one wants to go to, why add more?

That's about as bright as building in a flood plain and then being shocked when the location sucks.

I was flabbergasted to hear the statement by the presenters that the planned new 800 seat facility will have only 12 more seats than existing Vanier Hall. Really???

My opinion: The city can *donate* the proceeds from the sale of the facility at the junction of 97 and 16, plus transfer the annual maintenance budget to the new PAC, but beyond that every penny for the new project should come from private donations and government grants.

I was going to attend the city council meeting but I decided not to because it is quite risky to park a newer vehicle in that area of town at night for perhaps 3 to 4 hours, unless of course it is a rusty old wreck and it does not matter much what happens to it.

So, I watched it on TV instead.

"Then, there would be a detailed capital plan developed which will focus on the site and procurement plan and identify the financial sources for the project (provincial, federal, private, corporate, endowment and potentially from the City.)"

Translated directly to english from babblespeak:

We don't know where we would build it and we don't know where we would get the money from, but we already know some places that have money, and we plan to go with our hands out, kind of like trick-or-treating for special interest groups.
We hope it doesn't cost you very much, in fact, we're hoping we can make it appear that it doesn't cost you anything at all. No promises, just hope.

Here's a start to that plan:

Hire the guy panhandling outside the parkade downtown...he's been identifying financial sources for half his life, he must be really good at it by now.

"Our only hope is that those that post here are not representative of the PG citizens at large."

No, no, of course not. We're all illegal immigrants, who live in the back of a broken down cargo van by the CN Yard. I sometimes just sleep on the side of a bush road if the van is already full when I get there. That's why we have computers and internet service.

OK, I'm just kidding around with you. The truth is that Ben only lets us post articles on here if we have extra fingers and toes, but we have to keep it quiet because nobody knows about our dirty little secret of masquerading as average everyday citizens of one of the best places I have ever lived. (and I've been everywhere, man)

That's your only hope ?
That's like saying your financial plan is to win the lottery some day.

The people who bought tickets for the 6/49 last week were full of hope too, and they went to work this week.

As someone who has been involved in or near "bad dream" projects that fizzled out and died or crashed and burned (burned hundreds of thousands of dollars needlessly as well as thousands of hours of people's time), I can say right now that we will call the $100,000.00 "bad money" and let's nickname everything after that "perfectly good money".

If you build it they will come. Not. It looks like this fiasco will go ahead regardless what the people think. Maybe they should add this expendeture onto the ballots for the election of a new city council. There are no grauntees of how much the feds and the province will kick in. So whats wrong with Vanier Hall and the Playhouse. And if this project does move ahead downtown will there be enough parking or will it be the same as the Civic Center sharing parking with the Art Gallery Four Seasons pool and the Libray which translates into inadeaqute parking for all.

Dan Rodgers made the statement on Ben's talk show this am that as mayor he would want the citizens of PG decide if they really want a PAC. Finally someone who might listen to the taxpayers.
Any money from the Feds and the Province is still your tax dollars. No matter where the money comes from it is not free.
The money that will be spent on maintaining the PAC facility would be far better spent sweeping the roads in the BCR site more than once a year, removing the ugly weeds along Queensway, repairing existing facilities such as the Kin Center. When you drive into Quesnel from the south you see nicely keep lawns, flowers planted along the curbs, etc. Maybe a little of that type of city beautification could happen in PG.

Diplomat writes..."every penny for the new project should come from private donations and government grants."

You do realise that govt grants do not grow on trees, and you understand that they are actually taxpayer dollars, right?

Maybe if we hit up good ol' Jimmy Pattison fer the $51 million bucks and promise to name it after him this dream/nightmare of a project might come to fruition.

"You do realise that govt grants do not grow on trees, and you understand that they are actually taxpayer dollars, right"

Do you realize that the grants will be given out regardless? I don't know about you, but I'd rather see some of that pie come to PG, as opposed to going to Lethbridge, Halifax, Moose Jaw or Nanaimo. Call me selfish, I won't mind :)

So they want it downtown. That says failure before they even get their first grant. This project is a luxury this city can not afford especially not in our downtown IMO.

Homeowners should have a say before their homes are taxed for this.

Lostfaith:"You do realize that govt grants do not grow on trees, and you understand that they are actually taxpayer dollars, right?"

Yes, I am always aware of that, of course. But - I also agree with NMG that I would see any grants rather come here than go to some other city.

Good luck to those who want the PAC as soon as possible. They got a 100k from the city to keep their effort going. That should tide them over for a number of years until the economy gets better.

Ultimately Prince George will get a Mega PAC in the not too distant future, funded by private donations, government grants and some help from the city.

Right is not the right time.

BTW, which visitor is going to take any opinion expressed here as worthwhile if those who make the effort to contribute something are ridiculed as whiners or with similar insulting names?

"The screening could take two to three weeks (at a cost of $7,000) and the detailed capital plan would cost about $65 thousand dollars. The design concept would cost about $43 thousand for a total of $115,000."

So a bunch of people make a lot of money just for suggesting it.

That's $115,000.00 worth of paperwork.

How come I never get in on these juicy scams ?

I almost peed myself with delight when they gave me a large fry at the drive-thru instead of a small fry. I'm sure the cops are still looking for me.

"cultural tourism"

You're kidding....right ?

I won't pretend to know anything about the money end of this project. I just wish they would put more nice things in the downtown - maybe then we would have a "normal" downtown for a city of this size. Nothing wrong w/ some culture - I won't utilize this building but I know a lot of people who will. I still don't understand why the Four Points is located where it is...I've live here my whole life and I have to think about how to get there the few times I went. It should have taken the place of that dive "The PG Hotel". Heritage - oh give me a break - old and broken down is more like it.