A group focused on establishing a performing arts centre launched a media blitz aimed at convincing citizens the cost is manageable and there's a need for it.
The blitz included YouTube videos, posters, social media content and a new website.
"We wanted to make sure people have the right information so they can make an informed decision to help support the performing arts centre," said Kirk Gable, the chair of the Prince George Regional Performing Arts Centre Society, in a media release. "The arts community is already on board, now we need more people to join in the conversation that will move the project forward."
The centre, to be located downtown, was estimated in 2008 to cost $42.1 million. That estimate is expected to be updated by city staff at a council meeting in the first part of July. It's at that meeting the society is hoping council will vote to make the centre a priority.
"The financing for it is absolutely not expected to be totally on the shoulders of the Prince George taxpayers," said Les Waldie, the society's treasurer. "The recommendation was that we look for funding support from all three levels of government plus the private sector."
That funding can't be secured until council officially adopts a plan that will lead to the centre's completion. The society added that for each year the centre's not built, the cost goes up by the rate of inflation. If that's the case, it would cost $46.2 million today.
Waldie said Prince George is one of the largest cities in Canada that doesn't have a performing arts centre.
It's not a want," he said. "It's a thing that's necessary if we're going to continue to attract the wide range of people that we need to grow this city and by definition grow our tax base."
The society, in a video, says the centre would improve tourism revenues. Quoting a report from the Ontario Arts Council, it said an average arts tourist spends $293 more on average and stays in town 42 per cent longer.
The current facilities aren't sufficient enough for a lot of shows that could come here. The Playhouse is too small and doesn't have enough capacity while Vanier Hall is used by Prince George secondary and doesn't have the proper equipment, Waldie said.
"We miss a lot in this community for not having a performing arts centre," he said. "There's lots of entertainment shows that just can't come here, don't come here, because we don't have the facility."
According to the society's documents, as of 2006, the city has no theatre seats in facilities that are in excellent condition, unlike Nanaimo, Victoria and Kamloops, which have over 800. Prince George does have 232 seats in a facility that is in a good condition, but all of those are exclusive to Theatre North West. The same document said Prince George does have the most theatre seats per capita out of all of those cities: 1,315 seats - or 16 seats per 1,000 people.
The video said the centre is also important to help shed Prince George's image as a mill town.
As for the possibility of asking citizens to support funding the centre via a referendum, Waldie said that's not a choice the society can make, adding the society is charged with making a business case for the centre.
"That's a matter for the city to decide," he said. "It's not up to the society."
