Regional District Enters Agreement On Sport Centre

Friday, September 22, 2006 03:58 AM

The Northern Sport Centre is taking shape at UNBC

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George is moving ahead with an accountability agreement with the Northern Development Initiatives Trust.

The agreement has the Trust providing an interest free loan to the Regional District in the amount of $1 million dollars, and a grant of a further $400 thousand to make up the Regional DIstrict’s financial contribution to the construction of the Northern Sport Centre.

The repayment schedule for the interest-free loan will see the Regional District make payments of $250,000 a year for four years, starting in 2008.

The Northern Sport Centre is scheduled to open in the fall of 2007.

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Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006 03:58 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Gofaster on September 22 2006 6:13 AM

For use by a select few only and everyone will pay for it.

Posted by: Jethro on September 22 2006 10:11 AM

'For use by a select few only and everyone will pay for it.'

What in the world is that supposed to mean Go-Go..??

If you want to use it (when it's finished), get off your bum and go use it. You'll pay a nominal user fee, of course, which will go to (partially) offset the capital and maintenance costs of the facility.

If you don't want to use it, don't get off your bum.

What's so elitist about a publicly funded sports centre..??

Posted by: Runner46 on September 22 2006 11:44 AM

I have been in many such facilities and am looking forward to using it for myself and my grandchildren. It will bring a wider focus to the Univeristy and enhance the reasons to live and stay in Prince George. Better than another saw mill.

Posted by: metalman on September 22 2006 12:12 PM

I don't know that it is accessible for use by the general public-is it? As far as I know, the facility will not be set up for those who just want to pop in and run a few laps. Can a group of friends book a time and play a game of soccer?
I am also upset at the way the project was awarded to a general contractor. The job was not put out to tender. They negotiated the contract behind closed doors, and then invited a select few to 'design build' Did the taxpayer get good value for the money?

Posted by: lunarguy on September 22 2006 2:51 PM

Yes the facility will be open to the public. You will be able to just drop in for a fee and also get a monthly membership, just like at the present fitness facility at the University.

The reason why there was no tendering process is this unit was originally a P3 partnership under the liberal government way of doing things and as such there is no tendering process. It was fought to make this a normal government building versus the P3 and that was now done, but unfortunately construction was started. So the original builders are continuing on within the budgets that were initially signed under the P3.

Posted by: Gofaster on September 22 2006 6:38 PM

"IF", it open to the public on a regular, reasonable basis, then go for it....but if it comes out of my taxes because the users can't afford it...then I am not so happy.

I am just getting a little fed up having to bail out all these leisure places that find after a few years they are not making it....that is the reason for my comment....

Posted by: Chadermando on September 23 2006 12:01 AM

I agree with metalman. No excuss IMO when its public dollars. The process was flawed.