Mr. PG’s big move is on hold.
City council had plenty of questions for city facilities director Andy Beesley and Civic Centre manager Debbie Haywood on Monday night. Heywood had appeared before council to outline the plan to move the iconic Mr. PG from his current location at the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 97 to a new spot downtown.
Heywood outlined how city staff had determined that Mr. PG would have more of an impact on local tourism by being in a more accessible location at the new visitors’ centre at Canada Games Plaza. She said people could easily access him, whether to take selfies or just see him up close – something that has become difficult at his current location because of new residential and commercial construction around him. When there are major sporting events, trade shows or conferences in town, that’s thousands more people getting to see him, she explained.
Beesley told council that the planned move would cost "in the tens of thousands, not the hundreds of thousands."
Coun. Brian Skakun said it sounded like the plan was a done deal, adding that he was concerned that council hadn’t had more of a say in the process.
“People in the community are not happy with this,” Skakun said.
Beesley agreed that staff had intended to start moving ahead with the plan. “We’re subject to the will of council,” he said. “In lieu of direction, this is a decision that we’ve made.”
Skakun put forward a motion to send the report back to city staff with a request for broader public input.
Coun. Cori Ramsay suggested an amendment to that motion calling on city staff to carry out a study of the state of the steel-and-fibreglass statue. “He’s a little old,” she said. This incarnation of Mr. PG is closing in on 40 years old. “What happens if he’s not structurally sound?”
Beesley said the councillors’ requests were reasonable. “We’d be happy to bring back a more detailed report,” he said.
Coun. Ron Polillo suggested that city staff consider going with two Mr. PG statues, one near its current location at the busy highway intersection – he acknowledged that some kind of move is required - and another downtown.
“Why can’t we have the best of both worlds?” he asked, suggesting a further amendment to Skakun’s motion calling on staff to report on the cost of adding a second Mr. PG.
Coun. Susan Scott agreed, saying she liked the idea of one Mr. PG “for visual purposes” and a second “for interaction.” She noted that the current statue’s position at the southwest corner of the intersection is “diminishing,” particularly since apartment buildings were built close by.
“I keep expecting the tenants to reach out from their balconies and change the flag,” she said, laughing.
“After 64 years, maybe Mr. PG is lonely,” joked Mayor Simon Yu. “Maybe it’s time for a Mrs. PG.”
Coun. Garth Frizzell brought up the damage once done to the city’s Terry Fox statue, saying he feared the same thing could happen to Mr. PG if he’s moved downtown.
“It is something we’re looking at with additional security,” said Haywood, adding that things are improving around Canada Games Plaza. “It’s getting better.”
After Coun. Trudy Klassen suggested a two-dimensional Mr. PG could be added to the Prince George sign at the same intersection after the statue is moved downtown, Coun. Kyle Sampson disagreed.
“I think there can only be one,” he said. “I think it takes the magic away if we start duplication.”
Council approved Skakun’s motion, sending the plan back to staff for more public consultation on the move. This was passed unanimously. Polillo's motion, to have staff draft a report on having two Mr. PGs, passed 5-2, with Sampson and Coun. Tim Bennett opposed.
