Christ...

If Prince George had held a similar referendum, and passed a similar borrowing bylaw, this forum would have been lit up by the usual suspects complaining about the cost of the project...!

Don't forget the defacto motto of opinion250 - 'every silver lining has a cloud around it..!'

Fort St. John has the economy and collateral to support such borrowing power.
The residents in the city of Prince George now have a tendency to run a little scared, as well they should.
The city seems to have the attitude the ability to borrow takes precedent over the consideration that should be given to the fact the monies must be paid back, with interest.
To place the city in jeopardy is a great dis service to the residents.
They, the residents, must live within their means, and the city must be operated within a budget also.
"Caution should never be thrown to the winds."

Jethro, with that oil well in the Clampett's backyard, you should be the first one to step up with a sizeable donation.

I say let's trump their building of an ice arena in the country where all you have to do is open up a hose bib outside and you have more ice than you ever wanted ....... we'll trump it with a $35 million performing arts centre ....

;-)

Fort St. John is debt free, other then this 15 million - the town is going into debt to finance long term community improvement projects - its a morgage, and it is fully within the means of the community. We haven't added an ice rink in 20+ years, yet the town has grown since that time.

The fact is that Fort St. John identifies a lot more with alberta then the Rest of BC.. Price George, sadly, holds little envy in the eyes of Fort St. John residents. However, from what I see on this board and others, Many people look at the 'John with envy. Interesting.

Let the truth be told!
Prince George is not the envy of any area in the province.
It has little to be proud of-and the residents have not come to expect much-and decidedly not from City Hall.
They have high expectations of turning us into another Vegas-but maybe Reno style.
Fort St John should Keep identifying with Alberta.
Klein took it to new heights
We kind of have a tendency to hit new lows.
Our aim is to provide more money for the lower mainland and their business ventures.
So what else is new?

11,378 Ft St John voters sat on their thumbs on this one. This borrowing program was passed by a majority of 199 people over those who voted no. ((Interesting))

We can assume that the 11,378 who didnt vote probably do not have a big interest in the Ice Oval. We know that those that voted against it dont. What does this mean. 12000 people either not interested or against it.

Ft St John had a population of approx 16000 in 2001, it probably is a bit higher to-day, however it would appear that they are now in the process of building the biggest ((White Elephant)) in the Northern Part of the Province.

How may Ice Oval skaters, (or skaters) do they think they have???

Prince George couldnt support an Indoor Oval to any level, so how can Ft St John.??

It's their money-and they certainly have it.
Do we ask them how our Mayor and Council should borrow and spend?
So everything we have is self sustaining?
We wish!

Trusted. If they had the money they would not be borrowing it. What makes you think that a City with a population of 17,771 (2005 BC Stats) would have anymore money than any other City. What they have is the borrowing capacity.

They will borrow the money and pay for this monstrosity the same way we borrowed and will pay forever for the 6000 seat Multi Plex for 3000 hockey fans, and the other facilities we have that will keep us in debt for the forseeable future.

I agree that it is their decision and they are entitled to do whatever they wish. We have no more business being involved in Ft St John, than we do in Vanderhoof, Quesnel, Mcbride, Houston, Kitimat, or Prince Rupert, however from they way IPG and the City take credit with everything that happens in North Central BC you would think it was our business.

Thanks Pal, but explain to me how other cities can have so much more than Prince George, but do not have the debt?
Not only that, it seems proposals are made to increase the debt, as Prince has a bit of borrowing power left and wants to place the city further in debt.
Now it appears we should be responsible for paying for a parking facility for a private enterprise? When they start knocking down buildings and doing the clean up-will the city coffers be drained for this?
Many tax payers just cannot fit any additional expenses into their budgets, so increasing costs for utilities, taxes, even parking meters, and whatever brings a hardship on the residents.
This city does not seem to care-and I do feel the inconvenience created by not spending $750,000.00 on the Cameron Street bridge to service the people (and keep exposure on the 1st Avenue businesses), is a prime example.
Yes, I am accused of being a critic, but so be it.