Whatever our new downtown Civic Core ends up looking like, at least you’ll have had a say.
City council made a crucial decision about the future of its downtown area Monday night, moving forward with one of three proposals for the Civic Core Plan.
Two were drafted by city staff, with some earlier input from outside consultants, while the third was dreamed up by Mayor Simon Yu.
A fourth, one designed and presented by a citizen group in 2022, was not on the agenda but did come up in council’s discussion as making valuable points.
After two hours of debate and deliberation, council agreed to proceed with the second of the two staff-drafted proposals, a plan that addresses several key elements, including the creation of a new arena, performing arts centre, and other infrastructure developments.
However, the most significant takeaway from this meeting was council’s agreement to put the final approval of this project to a referendum.
The decision to hold a referendum reflects a recognition of the importance of community input. It ensures that the public will have an opportunity to shape the future of the city’s core district, a sentiment echoed by several councillors during the meeting. This marks a crucial step in the process.
As with any large-scale project, taxpayers have to be made to feel included and heard, particularly when the plan will involve significant investments of public resources.
One key issue discussed at length was the size of the new arena. Two of the staff-driven proposals included a 4,500-5,000 seat arena, but council quickly realized that this capacity might be too large for some events and too small for others.
While the 5,000-seat configuration would be appropriate for larger gatherings and events like hockey games or concerts, it would fall short of meeting the needs of larger-scale events. On the other hand, a 4,500-seat arena might be too large for the Prince George Spruce Kings and smaller community events, creating an underwhelming atmosphere.
Councillors noted that a more flexible approach, possibly with adjustable seating or a smaller overall size, would better suit the community’s diverse needs. This pragmatic shift reflects the city’s acknowledgment that any development must be adaptable and meet the needs of all groups, from arts organizations to sports teams.
Yu’s proposal for a larger, more ambitious Civic Core plan also attracted significant attention. His vision, which includes a globe-shaped IMAX theatre atop Connaught Hill, was presented as an investment in the city’s long-term growth.
The mayor acknowledged the grand scale of his proposal, noting that it was not a project for the immediate future but one that would evolve over time. In fact, he humorously described his vision as so far-fetched that it would only become possible in 100 years.
While some may have found this idea overly ambitious, it speaks to the mayor’s long-term thinking and desire to position Prince George as a leading city in the province. His plan includes several elements that would significantly transform the downtown area, such as a convention centre and a new amphitheater. However, even the mayor acknowledged that these grand elements may need to be scaled back or phased in over time.
Despite the ambitious nature of Yu’s vision, council members remained focused on practicality. While they recognized the merits of some of the elements in his plan, they also highlighted the need for more consultation with key user groups.
Notably, arts groups like Studio 2880 and the Prince George Playhouse must be integrated into the final plan to ensure that the new performing arts centre meets their needs and continues to serve the community.
The need for increased public consultation and collaboration with user groups before proceeding to a referendum is what’s most important here. While the current plan offers a solid foundation for redevelopment, the input of user groups will ensure that the facilities being developed meet their specific needs, which then allow them to attract bigger audiences.
The arts community, in particular, must be central to the planning process, as the voices of the city’s cultural creators have historically been underrepresented in these kinds of projects.
Council’s decision to move forward with one specific plan, subject to a public vote, indicates a commitment to community-driven development. Now that council has made its pick, city staff will continue to refine the plan, hopefully incorporating these elements.
This will require careful planning, consultation and ultimately, the support of the residents who will be impacted by the changes.
Council will then tweak it again, for sure, before the final plan goes to a vote by the people who will end up using it. By then, though, you should all have been part of the process and ready to make a decision on how to move forward.
