Three Projects Fail to Land Federal Funding

Tuesday, February 02, 2010 03:53 AM

Prince George, B.C.- Prince George won’t be getting any money from the Building Canada Fund – Communities Component for three projects it had submitted for funding:

• 4th Avenue Streetscape;

• Sewer Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Upgrading; and

• PG Advanced Networks.

The reason for the rejection was stated to be the overwhelming number of applications received for funding and is not meant to be a reflection on the importance of the projects.

"This is a body blow in my view" says Councillor Dave Wilbur, "I think what we need to do is dig into this a little more, we have some fair questions about whether we've had fair play."

Councillor Brian Skakun says while the City did get money for Boundary Road, hy says these particular projects were very important. "The decision has been made and we're not going to get any other funding for these?" The answer from Administration was that the money that was availble under this program, is no longer available.

City Council will examine the Capital Plan at a meeting in late February, and will analyze if there are other opportunities for funding for these specific items before the Capital plan is presented to Council for consideration.

Councillor Murry Krause says when you look at the aging infrastructure and the impact it will have on the City overall, he is very concerned that the City didn't get the money it requested for the sewer infrastructure rehabilitation and upgrading.

Councillor Garth Frizzell reminded his Council colleagues the City did receive funding for other projects, (Boundary Road, and improvements at Highway 16 West and Domano) while some may say the glass is half empty "It is also half full."

Mayor Dan Rogers says he looks forward to the 24th when the Capital Plan will be presented so it will present some options.

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Posted on Tuesday, February 02, 2010 03:53 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: taxinapothole on February 2 2010 4:37 AM

..and while you all whine about how hard done by you are, could you please explain to me why, you have cut the "TAXI SAVER" coupons in half? Now, instead of seniors been allowed to buy one sheet a month ( 60 dollars worth for $30.00), they will only get one sheet every 2 months!

For the folks who don't understand, senior citizens and disabled people, can purchase "Taxi Saver" coupons for half of their face value. $60.00 worth, cost them $30.00. That would equal to $60.00 worth of cab rides for $30.00, per month.

Now it is $60.00 worth for the same $30.00, but they have to stretch it out over 2 months!

This city government is disgusting! Our provincial government is digusting, our federal government is disgusting. When you arsepucks pick on seniors and the disabled, you should be HUNG!!

Posted by: taxinapothole on February 2 2010 4:40 AM

sure would like to hear your feed back on this one BEN...

Posted by: skeptikl on February 2 2010 5:43 AM

possibly we should quit trying to ask for everything and concentrate on what's important - like infrastructure. how does a "streetscape" or network stack up against sewer or water needs for residents in terms of priorities?

Posted by: Mr. PG on February 2 2010 7:26 AM

It's not the only thing that has failed to land in PG.

How is the airport expansion doing?

Posted by: gus on February 2 2010 10:10 AM

4th Avenue Streetscaping?????

Maybe the feds got the message from that one as to how much the PG asks were "wants" rather than "needs" to the extent that they did not give the requests a serious look.

"fair play"????

Good luck on that one!!!! The federal seats here are fairly solidly in place, in my opinion. No need to send any extra cash this way.

Posted by: Palopu on February 2 2010 11:47 AM

The Feds kicked in $11 Million for the Airport Runway Expansion.

They supplied $6 Million for the (((stupid)) River Road upgrade.

They supplied $1 Million for the (((Very Stupid))) Cameron St., Bridge.

They will supply $7.5 Million for the (((Very Very Stupid))) Boundry Road Expansion.

What more do you want????.

Dont forget that you still have three stupid projects to go.

a. Performing Arts Centre $40 Million
b. State of the Art Police Station $48 Million.
c. Bio Energy (Co-Gen) water heating facility. $18-20 Million.

No doubt we will be going to the two different levels of Government ((Hat in hand)) begging for some more money.

Its time to shut down the BS Projects and start to reduce City staff, reduce spending, reduce capital projects, and look after the basics.

All the time and effort wasted at City Hall chasing Federal and Provincial dollars for pseudo projects, could be better spent in running this City in a sane manner.

Posted by: NMG on February 2 2010 6:28 PM

Yeah I tend to agree with Palopu. When you factor in the projects that he mentions that were funded and then consider the money we also get for things like UNBC, hospital expansions, Regional Cancer Centre, RCMP station on 5th, etc., I don't think we have all that much to complain about. Truth be told, I think we've done VERY WELL in attracting tax dollars back into PG.

Perhaps we need to step back, re-visit our priorities and figure out how to do some good things on our own, instead of constantly needing to rely on external funding sources all of the time. The "woe is me" we hear every time a funding request is denied is getting a little tiresome.

Posted by: lmorge on February 2 2010 8:06 PM

Its all going to Whistler (90 million) just wait and see.

Posted by: gus on February 2 2010 9:02 PM

It will be going to the company that owns the facilites at Whistler. Always was going to be that. They are providing a facility. Like any other organization who own a facility, they get paid for someone to use it.

As I understand it, it is a matter of when, not if or how much.

I suspect they may have undersold it. They may not have realized how much money they will be losing as a reult of people staying away.

Victoria .... sad situation there ...... lowest post December tourist season they have ever had .... 7% is hotel occupancy right now

Posted by: gus on February 2 2010 9:13 PM

Palopu posted for projects that may come up in the next 5 years or so, depending on economy

"a. Performing Arts Centre $40 Million
b. State of the Art Police Station $48 Million.
c. Bio Energy (Co-Gen) water heating facility. $18-20 Million."

a. a $50 million centre in Ontario was $15 million from each of the city, province and feds. The remainder from private funds

b. police station is going to see littel dollars from the feds. Lucky to get $2 million and maybe the same from the province. The City will likley be stuck with most of that one.

c. bio-energy .... that should be run like a business where an investment should be able to get a return for services which would be a zero sum enterprise at the least and a money making enterprise at the best. The again, if it could be a money maker, they should be able to "sell" it to a private investor. There is the one for a true P3 project. Strange that we do not hear about that. So, may be a money losing venture ... or a money making venture in their minds with all the expertise City staff have with running money making businesses .... :-)