Mr. PG is supposed to welcome travellers to Prince George from his spot at the busiest crossroads in Northern BC.
That’s if they notice him.
Despite the fact that he stands 27 feet tall and is usually waving a flag, the iconic symbol of Prince George’s forestry industry has been less visible in recent years, his faux-log body and big round head hard to see against the similarly earth-toned residential and commercial development behind him.
Mr. PG wasn’t always at the intersection of highways 97 and 16. The original five-foot wooden version from 1960 was so popular that a larger one (about 38 feet, still mostly wood) was set up downtown after making the rounds in a few parades. He stayed there for a fair bit (and was at one point accompanied by a miniature version that incorporated a phone booth), but when that log-bodied version started to show its age in the 1980s, the new metal-and-fibreglass giant was installed outside the visitors’ centre at 16/97.
When the centre was moved (to make room for the casino), Mr. PG was relocated across the intersection. Fine, at first.
But then buildings started going up behind him and he became part of a crowded landscape rather than its focus.
This has not gone unnoticed at city hall. The current plan to move him, which went before council Monday night, would address the visibility issue and more, including a lack of easy access and parking for people who want to see him up close.
The staff suggestion, to move him to a spot near the current visitors’ centre downtown, would deal with those concerns, but in a minor way. He’d be more distinctive and easier to get to on foot, but in a less-than-ideal location.
Moving Mr. PG to Canada Games Plaza would be a mistake. He’d be an open target for late-night vandals, but worse than that, he’ll lose his audience of tourists.
It’s also unreasonable to expect travellers to detour from one of the most efficient urban highway networks in the province to wind their way downtown for a look at him.
People in Prince George seem to agree. Our online poll asking readers to weigh in came back with decisive results: The majority want him to be moved back across the street to what’s now the casino parking lot, where he’d be more visible and more accessible. A few others say it’s time to get rid of him (not happening) and a few think he should stay where he is.
There is a possible compromise. Remember that little phone-booth version? The city could revisit that idea and install a new, smaller take on Mr. PG at the visitors’ centre. Put him up high, where he’d be visible but safe from harm. Meanwhile, make a deal with Treasure Cove and move the big guy back where he belongs so people can stop and say hello. That’s probably far less costly than getting him downtown, as well.
We think this is the most reasonable solution. But no matter what, something has to be done. Mr. PG should be clearly visible and accessible, not blending into the background like he is right now.
