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Feasibility Study On Performing Arts Centre Nearly Ready for Public

By 250 News

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 03:58 AM

Prince George, B.C. - In just a couple of weeks, residents of Prince George will have the details of the feasibility study for a Performing Arts Centre.

President of the Prince George-Regional Performing Arts Centre Society, Sharon Cochran, says consultant Duncan Webb has presented his initial findings and the full package will be presented to Prince George City Council on March 31st.

“The initial findings indicate there is a demand for such a centre” says Cochran who adds that Webb has examined the use of existing facilities and has had discussions with possible user groups.

“We will be holding a public forum on April 1st, and will be getting feedback from the public” says Cochran.

She says the Society has been looking at other such centres for ideas “We have looked at one in Nanaimo and recently toured 6 to 7 centres in the greater Toronto area.” That tour, says Cochran, included facilities that were community owned, privately owned, public-private partnerships and centres which have had an impact on the revitalization of neighbourhoods. “So we will be putting together all our information and we will be bringing it to City Council on March 31st.”

The idea of a Performing Arts Centre is viewed by many as a cornerstone to downtown revitalization as it will bring people into the core area in the evening.

    


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Posted on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 03:58 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Comment Posted by: metalman on March 19 2008 8:23 AM
"A cornerstone of downtown revitalization"
What a load of manure. They might have security to keep the undesirables away from the shiny new building when there is an event going on, but how does that address the root of the problem?
metalman.
Comment Posted by: lunarbase on March 19 2008 9:23 AM
The bingo hall at present brings more people downtown, on a nightly basis then the Arts Centre ever will and we still have the downtown issues. When the new Major's Bingo Hall is opened it will bring even more people downtown, to quickly get out of their cars, under view of security cameras and quickly get in the building. Not go for a walk around downtown.

Give up on downtown people, it is time to make a new downtown. I suggest by Superstore, with the new mix of shopping going in there, residential development and soon a decent hotel as well. The arts centre would do well there actually.

Until a holistic approach is done to solve the problems downtown, just building a building down there will not help anything !
Comment Posted by: C. Monty Burns on March 19 2008 9:52 AM
Two of the best posts I've read in ages. In my line of work I can't get away with saying that kind of thing like "undesirables" without getting an ass woopin' but I sure wish I could.

Downtown is done. Period. Move it, just like Lunarbase suggests. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go for my nightly stroll down George Street. I'll make sure to pack my bear mace.
Comment Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 19 2008 10:19 AM
I agree with C.Monty Burns...the downtown area is done!
It was pretty much done when I first moved to PG in 1977-78!
It has all been tried and none of it has ever worked.
Remember Cadillac Fairview?
Now there was a beauty!
Look at what has actually LEFT the downtown core and that should tell us something!
This list goes on, but what is being missed is the simple fact that NOBODY WANTS TO GO DOWNTOWN,let alone run a business down there.
Cheap rent doesn't always cut it!
So, why would you put a Performing Arts Center down there?
That's like wetting your bed and sleeping in it...you can do it, but why would you want to?
Bad enough they put the courthouse down there!
About the only solution is to start at Victoria with a line of D9 Cats and don't stop pushing until you get to the river!
Then start over!

Comment Posted by: lunarbase on March 19 2008 10:41 AM
I live downtown, moved there a year ago to actually experience what everyone says is so bad about downtown. The biggest issue for the reason why people are not going to move into a new home situation downtown is the smell ! The air is bad at least 30 days in the year ( not talking about the air quality index but as ranked by my nose and eyes ).
I have been mugged once, by two street types. ( I am over 6 ft. tall and know how to handle myself but I guess they figured as there was two of them, they could take me ), plus right outside of my house I got to witness one of the drug shootings and resulting foot chase. I call 911 so often they are starting to know my number / name by heart.
I would like to stay downtown but the air is taking away any enjoyment to being outside so I am moving to the Heritage area. Not saying there isn't crime in Heritage area, but at least I can breath outside. I have the greatest respect for the people who live downtown, and that is what they want, so go for it. I love those character homes in the Millar area.
Comment Posted by: owl on March 19 2008 10:52 AM
I just came back from Vancouver. Ate at a place called Salt. Located IN!!! Blood Alley between Hastings and Water Street. Inside is a hip, high tech, spartan decor high end tapas bar ..... outside, street people.

The place was packed with gneration Xers.

http://flickr.com/photos/51046685@N00/489059829

Live and let live. The crime scenes are in the residential areas surrounding downtown and suburbia. That is where the grow ops and crack houses are. Downtown has panhandlers, and the homeless, the same as some of virtually every other city in North America. Not nice, but maybe seeing it will cause people to take some action about helping them rather than shunning them.

Closing an eye to it is not going to help anyone. Not those who live that way and not those who want to have a vibrant part of the city, wherever you want that to be.

Remember, set that up somewhere else, and the the others will follow. In Vancouver some of the panhandlers are even entering Tim Hortons style take outs and begging in the waiting lines.
Comment Posted by: owl on March 19 2008 11:30 AM
I just came back from Vancouver. Ate at a place called Salt. Located IN!!! Blood Alley between Hastings and Water Street. Inside is a hip, high tech, spartan decor high end tapas bar ..... outside, street people.

The place was packed with gneration Xers.

http://flickr.com/photos/51046685@N00/489059829

Live and let live. The crime scenes are in the residential areas surrounding downtown and suburbia. That is where the grow ops and crack houses are. Downtown has panhandlers, and the homeless, the same as some of virtually every other city in North America. Not nice, but maybe seeing it will cause people to take some action about helping them rather than shunning them.

Closing an eye to it is not going to help anyone. Not those who live that way and not those who want to have a vibrant part of the city, wherever you want that to be.

Remember, set that up somewhere else, and the the others will follow. In Vancouver some of the panhandlers are even entering Tim Hortons style take outs and begging in the waiting lines.
Comment Posted by: owl on March 19 2008 11:42 AM
I just came back from Vancouver. Ate at a place called Salt. Located IN!!! Blood Alley between Hastings and Water Street. Inside is a hip, high tech, spartan decor high end tapas bar ..... outside, street people.

The place was packed with gneration Xers.

http://flickr.com/photos/51046685@N00/489059829

Live and let live. The crime scenes are in the residential areas surrounding downtown and suburbia. That is where the grow ops and crack houses are. Downtown has panhandlers, and the homeless, the same as some of virtually every other city in North America. Not nice, but maybe seeing it will cause people to take some action about helping them rather than shunning them.

Closing an eye to it is not going to help anyone. Not those who live that way and not those who want to have a vibrant part of the city, wherever you want that to be.

Remember, set that up somewhere else, and the the others will follow. In Vancouver some of the panhandlers are even entering Tim Hortons style take outs and begging in the waiting lines.
Comment Posted by: Palopu on March 19 2008 3:10 PM
Your stuttering Owl.

People do help the street people downtowns.

(1) They get three (3) meals per day at St. Vincent De Paul on 2nd Avenue.

(2) They get free clothing once a week at St Vincents on 3rd Avenue, and usually they make a complete change at least once per week. This includes boots, shoes, jackets, etc;

(3) They get a place to sleep on 6th (Moran Place) if they chose.

(4) They get a welfare cheque from the Government for between $500.00 and $800.00 per month. This money I expect for the most part is used for smoking, drinking, drugging, and gambling, and therefore makes the Government an enabler to this problem.

This type of **Help** has been going on for years and doesnt seem to have any effect. There has to be a better way. Medical Treatment, Incarceration, Mental Institutions etc; Get them off the streets, clean, and then try to help.

There are many other charitable organizations that help these people and they get the same results.
Comment Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 19 2008 3:35 PM
Bang on Palopu!
The government knows that they will get most of this welfare cheque back and I guess they like it that way.
It is not the retailers like grocery stores,clothing stores,or heaven forbid, even Walmart, who get these dollars.
Oh ok,maybe the Cold Beer and Wine stores get some?
You are right...there DOES have to be a better way!
But what the hell...at least people who are down and out get to go to the casino and entertain themselves once a month!
Nice.
The government should feel good about that.

Comment Posted by: owl on March 19 2008 7:15 PM
somebody asked for three copies ...... :-)
Comment Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 19 2008 8:45 PM
oh ok,...I thought there was an echo in here....:-)
Comment Posted by: Runner46 on March 19 2008 10:32 PM
Owl,
Remined me to never drinking with you........could be kind of a long night with all the bloody drinks being ordered in triplicate!!!
Comment Posted by: Runner46 on March 19 2008 10:32 PM
:)
Comment Posted by: mythoughts on March 19 2008 10:40 PM
I sure hope this Performing Arts Centre gets put to a vote because I am not in favour of my tax dollars going to pay for this. It's a waste of tax money no matter where it's built. There are far more important things in this city that the money could be used for, like pot holes the size of the grand canyon. The streets are the worst I have ever seen. We also need something done about the flooding and this money oculd be used for that too. The list is endless and I'd rather my tax dollars were used to fix this city and not for another cultural building.
Comment Posted by: Common Sense on March 20 2008 1:04 PM
I think we should a study to see if more studies are needed for anything else this town needs!!!