Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

If You Build It, They May Not Show Up...

By Ben Meisner

There is something drastically wrong when 
a) the City holds "by invitation" focus groups to be told what the City should have  and  what  is viewed as the problems or challenges and 
b) we decide that we have so much money available that we are prepared to spend $ 31 thousand dollars to look at the feasibility  of an ice oval. 

There is only one artificial oval in Canada, why in the world do we think  we are the people who should fall on the sword for a second? 

Get that feeling out of your mind that when you build facilities such as Art Galleries, Performance Arts Centers, Museums and a Multiplex that people will automatically want to move to your city. 

The population of Prince George dropped by over 9,000 residents shortly after those facilities came on stream compared to growth in other centers in this province. 

Of course we have to have facilities, but if a real citizen pulse check was taken on what was wanted and needed in Prince George,  City Hall and many residents will be surprised. 

Roads, Roads, Roads, which city hall chooses to call transportation are the main interest. 

Good winter driving, good cheap water and good sewer services, along with clean air , are the basics which every resident desires. 

It was said the "Arts" would solve our physician recruitment and retention problem.  

Well the truth of the matter was that money, cheap homes, and good working conditions were the reasons given in 9 out of 10 cases for coming to the city. 

The city wants water meters and in order to receive federal government grants they must show conservation, but alas, cheap water and sewer are two of the plositive features of living in this city. 

Unlike many Canadian cities we have an abundant supply but are being treated in a like manner. 

Special Interest groups have had a hay day with the City Council of the day with the result that very often the bigger picture is overlooked. 

This is not a Field of Dreams, our experience of the Art Gallery should have shown us that despite what that movie said, just because you build it doesn't mean they will come.

I'm Meisner, and that is one man's opinion.


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