Performing Arts Center Report Highlight of Council Meeting

Monday, March 31, 2008 03:55 AM

Prince George, B.C- Council for the City of Prince George will receive an update on the Performing Arts Feasibility Study this evening. The report says Prince George should have a 600-800 seat facility that would service theater, music dance and film.

Also on the agenda for this evening’s Council session is the recommendation for the selection of the contractor for the construction of the Cameron Street Bridge. Staff recommend Council award the contract to IDL Projects of Prince George. There is also news of a nearly $185 thousand dollar funding shortfall which staff recommend is made up from surpluses in other capital projects.

Councilor Deborah Munoz will present her motion about the community energy program. She wants the project moved out of the bowl area.

Councilor Brian Skakun is calling on his colleagues to send a letter to the Province calling for an exemption from the 2.4 cent per liter gas tax. He says the tax is discriminatory because the northern experience is much different than that of the lower mainland.

There will be a public hearing this evening for the application to rezone about 61 hectares of property on Gunn Road. The applicant want s the property rezoned for light industrial uses that would “compliment the airport”.

There is also a public hearing about the development called the Glen Lyon Cascades neighbourhood plan.

Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 03:55 AM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: BCRacer on March 31 2008 8:43 AM

Something tells me the Performing Arts people arew going to continue to beat on this until they get their own way...and something tells me that when the vote comes, those on council who oppose it will conveniently be absent....
and lucky us,
we get to pay for it...

Posted by: Foo738 on March 31 2008 12:18 PM

I think a performing arts centre will enhance the City. I just hope that have it downtown to help with revitalization.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 31 2008 12:41 PM

NOTHING will help downtown Prince George!
So what's to revitalize?
Start over!

Posted by: diplomat on March 31 2008 12:42 PM

One way or the other we are going to get this new Performing Arts Center. I don't think it is the right time for it, but the ones who are relentlessly pushing for it are going to have it their way.

Since I am going to be one of the many who will foot the bill for it I have only one strong suggestion: Build it big enough! 600-800 seems like far too small! Make it so it can be converted on demand into a much larger facility by movable walls or partitions! It has to be a state-of-the-art unique facility, one that will accommodate a larger audience than anything that our nearest (and always more astute and successful!) competitor Kamloops has to offer! Ask the architects to go online and find out who has built successful convertible venues and what they look like!

Small thinking will be a handicap here!

Good Luck! Do the right thing!

Posted by: Runner46 on March 31 2008 1:20 PM

When would be a good time for it?

I don`t understand why capacity/community building must be timed?

Posted by: Foo738 on March 31 2008 1:26 PM

Ok antifreeze what do we do with downtown?

Posted by: caranmacil on March 31 2008 1:42 PM

I know how to revitalize the downtown! CLEAN THE AIR UP! Seriously folks, i didnt even want to drive into the bowl this winter because of the air quality. Theres the elephant in the room.

Posted by: lostfaith on March 31 2008 1:53 PM

I agree with you Foo.
Build it down beside the Croft hotel.

Posted by: lostfaith on March 31 2008 2:03 PM

And build it after we get our streets repaired.

Posted by: diplomat on March 31 2008 2:53 PM

Runner46:"When would be a good time for it?"

I was going to answer that right now but lostfaith already said it!

You are invited to travel some of the potholed cracked and uselessly patched over and over again streets in this city! Perhaps you don't drive?

First things first wouldn't be such an unreasonable thing to ask for, don't you agree?

I am expecting some overseas visitors this summer - I will be ashamed when they see the state of disrepair and neglect that the streets and roads are in!

When Mr. Dan Rogers was still on council he estimated the cost of urgently needed infrastructure repairs at 60 million dollars. Since then there has been much added deterioration.

A good time for a (not immediately needed!) Performing Arts Center would be AFTER these urgent needs have been taken care of!

Cheers!

Posted by: NMG on March 31 2008 6:54 PM

I like the idea of a PAC, but I agree that 600-800 seats seems awfully small. It will be interesting to see the design concepts that are put forth. If we are going to build it, let's make it right the first time. Build something that can be a proper home for all of the exisiting users in town as well as for anticipated future needs. Once they are "moved in" to the new facility, use the old lands for other purposes.

Posted by: lostfaith on March 31 2008 8:56 PM

One question if I may?
Didn't we already pay for a performing arts center years ago and is it not standing at the corner of hwy 16 and 97 across from the Casino?

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 31 2008 9:02 PM

D9's....don't stop until you get to the river!

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 31 2008 9:15 PM

The Lester Center in Prince Rupert seats 700.
A nice enough building with pretty good acoustics,but barely big enough for some venues and Prince Rupert is a small town.
15 or 16 thousand tops maybe?
How do they figure a 600 to 800 seating capacity will do the job in PG?
How many people live here?
If it's going to get done,do it right.
I would think seating 1200-1500 would make more sense?

Posted by: Harbinger on March 31 2008 10:31 PM

Carbon (gas) tax break for us? Puleeeze! Don't you remember that commercial with the Eskimo on the ice flow with his potato chips or sumthin'? Say to yourself in a deep voice,as he said, " If I give you a carbon tax break, I will have to give everyone a carbon tax break". Hey! It's supposed to be "revenue neutral". Just like we are after April 30th with income tax. They should have said "revenue neutered".

Posted by: He speaks on March 31 2008 10:39 PM

In all fairness, the performing arts should go ahead. Roll back twenty years, when Discovery place got shot down, then we were asked what we needed.

1) New Civic Center
2) New Swimming Pool ( Olympic size)
3) New Art Gallery
4) New Olympic size hockey rink with seating to 6000
5) Performing Art Theatre.

Well guess what, the only thing we have not built off of the wish list is the Performing Art Theatre.

So build the damn thing, and do the right thing, it should be downtown. If the city is genuine about revitalization.

Posted by: He speaks on March 31 2008 10:42 PM

The size probably should be about 800 to 1000. Not too small, so that shows can't make a buck at it, but not so big that they loose money by not filling up the seats.

Please remember we do have a Vanier Hall, PG Playhouse, CNC theatre and UNBC Theatre. We do have the ability to accomodate all sizes if we want too.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on April 1 2008 8:34 AM

Very true He speaks!