Campaign Launched to Save KGV

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 09:33 PM

King George V School in its original state in 1922

The Crescents Community Association is launching an extensive ad campaign to raise support and funds to save KGV.

Doug Jeffrey, President of the Crescent Community Association says the project needs assistance from private investment "I have talked to some people who have deeper pockets than normal, and they are listening. The Duchess Park School project can go ahead, the 1922 section of KGV can stand there without hurting anyone. Those in the know, say while it (the old KGV) is close to the new Duchess park school, it is not a problem."

Jeffrey says "We will be watching with interest the position of City Hall, we wish they would take the recommendations of the Heritage Commission to heart. If they did, they could very likely purchase the old building at a good price and they, and we as a community, could move on from there."

City Hall is prepared to make a final decision on the future of KGV Monday night at Council. The decision was delayed for two weeks to allow the Mayor, or designate, to meet with Education Minister Shirley Bond. She has publicly noted there is no money to save or preserve KGV.

The building was the centrepiece of the Crescents Community design. It is also the last survivor of the buildings constructed at a time when Prince George was establishing itself as the administrative and business centre of the north.

School District 57 wants the building demolished and elements of the original KGV incorporated in a commemorative fashion in the new Duchess Park School project.

Ads aimed at saving KGV and raising support and funds, will hit the papers and the airways tomorrow.
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Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 09:33 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Percy on January 18 2006 11:24 PM

Where has everyone been over the past 10 years?

It's too late. The building is an eyesore. It is condemned and unfit for use. Go and get your souvineers (sp) and memerobelia (sp) and let the demolition crews begin. Percy

Posted by: diplomat on January 19 2006 8:13 AM

>School District 57 wants the building demolished and elements of the original KGV incorporated in a commemorative fashion in the new Duchess Park School project.<

That is the best solution. I wish people would show this much stubborn dedication to the elimination of the tens of thousands of cracks and potholes in our streets and roads!

Some potholes are deep enough to bathe a baby in!

Talk about misplaced priorities!

Posted by: giterdun on January 19 2006 8:23 AM

GREAT IDEA. LET THOSE IN FAVOR DIG INTO THEIR WALLETS AND PAY FOR IT. THE TAX PAYERS DON'T NEED TO SUPPORT ANOTHER DEAD HORSE.

Posted by: duffer on January 19 2006 11:26 AM

Does this sound a little like the art gallery? There were supposedly a lot of deep pockets that were going to donate to that also, but when it came time to collect those donations, the donors were nowhere to be found. Tear the thing down and get over it.

Posted by: Otis on January 19 2006 9:01 PM

I find it interesting that no one thinks it is a waste of money tearing down the Duchess Park school and replacing it along with KGV with a smaller building. I believe the cost will be in the range of $20 million. For that kind of money we could renovate both Duchess and KGV, build the long waited for cafeteria at College Heights and fix a lot of potholes. Would any of us blow up our house and build a smaller one just because it needed some paint,a new furnace and maybe some windows? No. Only the government has that kind of money.

Posted by: duffer on January 20 2006 8:56 AM

Otis, why would you put more and more money into two old buildings that still would not be any good. Also, the school board is not in the business of fixing potholes. The city is supposed to do that, but they find it better to spend money on things like sports complexes and art galleries.

Posted by: Percy on January 20 2006 11:32 PM

It amazed me when the School Board moved to the most prime location on highway 16 west when schools were closing down and money was lacking.

Now, the money is flowing and new schools are in the works while we still have declining enrollments. Go figure.

It seems only last year that we met in Vanier Hall to fight to keep Duchess Park open. (Must have been 2 yrs ago.) How things can change so quickly. Makes you wonder. Percy