Pat Bell Supports Performing Arts Center

Wednesday, November 05, 2008 03:51 AM

Prince George, B.C.- Minister of Forests and Range, Pat Bell, says he supports the Performing Arts Center in Prince George. Bell says,”It has a long way to go to get it to a point where you can deliver, but I support it”.

Bell speaking to Opinion250 news says the project is a lot of money, and while it is still in its early stages it is good that it is on the radar screen.

Asked about whether it would be a Cancer clinic or a Performing Arts Center, the Minister said that the 1^st pre qualifying for tenders on the Cancer Clinic is now taking place. "There are three of them so significant progress will be made in 2009."

Bell added "It would be nice if we could do the Arts Center when the economy is tough without jeopardizing our credit rating. But we have said we are interested in infrastructure projects during what is predicted to be slower times."

The report on the project was preesented to Prince George City Council on Monday night. The report calls for a facility that could cost between $40 and $51.3 million dollars. The Prince George Regional Performing Arts Society says it will go after the Federal and Provincial Governments for a bulk of the funding, however, the City will still be considered for a significant contribution and a share of the annual operating costs that are anticipated to be more than 400 thousand by 2015.

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Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 03:51 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: BCRacer on November 5 2008 6:18 AM

Well Mr Bell, dig into them rich pockets of yours and start paying for it/..

Posted by: BCRacer on November 5 2008 6:22 AM

It is a "NICE TO HAVE" project...if you can afford it...
I don't feel I should have to pay for it so you can get entertained for a lower cost to you!

Posted by: Eagleone on November 5 2008 6:37 AM

Maybe Pat Bell could jump out of a cake in their opening play? Or maybe he can do something more akin to his traveling to China to represent the raw log export industry? Its a tough call on which one would be more shocking....

So how much will you home be taxed before the final act is played out on the PAC?

Posted by: Shellshadow on November 5 2008 8:10 AM

Hand over the money to back up you're big mouth Mr Bell!!

Posted by: whelen on November 5 2008 8:56 AM

Thanks for having a bit of vision for this town Pat. I don't use the hockey rinks or soccer fields but I'm glad we have them because they are part of a well rounded community.

Posted by: thereasonableman on November 5 2008 9:18 AM

Maybe when VISA sends you an overdue bill, you can just pay it off with a MasterCard.

Posted by: Don Wilkins on November 5 2008 9:36 AM

I would agree with what I think I heard Pat say. I think that it would be a "nice to have" project so lets not forget about it, but lets get on with the Cancer Clinic and the infrastructure NOW.

I believe that this is not the time for government to stop spending. During economic slow downs it is important for government to do a lot of economic stimulation like highways and clinics. During times of plenty government should be holding back money in reserve.

I have to admire the Alberta government of the past for setting up their Heritage Fund. Something for the future when they don't have oil & gas.

Posted by: culturevulture on November 5 2008 1:40 PM

Whoa here!!

From a guy who thought culture grew on cheese?

Must be listening to his master.

Posted by: thereasonableman on November 6 2008 9:32 AM

Here's a clue....

Put the PAC on the back burner.

Build the Cancer Clinic.

Build social housing and services FAR from the downtown core. We need to move those people far enough away from their favorite hangouts to make it difficult for them to get there, not house them right next door to all the pubs.

Build a truck bypass all around the city, get non-local trucks off the city streets and on their way. It will improve their lives and ours. Imagine dangerous goods being hauled on this route when you are designing it.

Re-hash the PAC.

There are your capital infrastructure projects for you, that should keep us busy until the PAC becomes feasible.