On Tuesday night, a shiver should have gone down the back of every non-profit group that uses a building or land owned by the City of Prince George.
City council unanimously sent a clear message that just because the city has provided space to you in the past, it doesn’t mean it will in the future. In addition, the city won’t be helping out with your relocation costs.
REAPS (the Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society) has occupied city-owned land at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park since 1989. That is, until the City decided that a new Lheidli T’enneh Childcare Centre should be there instead.
The good news is that REAPs, on its own, was able to find a new site at the UNBC David Douglas Botanical Garden. However, it now needs to replace over $100,000 worth of infrastructure that could not be moved from its old location.
During Tuesday night’s budget meeting, the budget enhancement by REAPS asking for $100,000 in cash or in-kind for infrastructure work for their new site, such as water, electrical, etc., was before council. The request also came with 14 letters of support from the community.
However, not one city councillor chose to make a motion to put the budget item on the floor for discussion. As a result, the REAPS budget enhancement request died without one word from our elected officials.
For those who believe city council should focus on its core mandate, this was a win that saved the taxpayers of our city $100,000.
For the non-profit groups such as youth soccer, Big Brothers, Girl Guides, Elder Citizen Recreation Association, etc., who use City of Prince George land or facilities, it was a clear message.
It doesn’t matter if city councillors “really value the work” you do.
If their priority is keeping the tax rate low, you could be the next one looking for a new home - on your own dime.
Cameron Stolz is a former Prince George city councillor.
