Prince George City Council has approved funds to replace the aging audio system at CN Centre.
Funded from the Northern Capital and Planning Reserve fund, which is money given to the city from the provincial government for capital projects, the budgeted replacement cost is $950,000.
Most of the audio equipment in CN Centre dates back to the late 1990s and has exceeded its technical lifetime.
The existing systems were at high risk of a system-wide failure with little or no access to spare parts or replacement pieces.
As COVID halted events at the CN Centre for two years the project wasn’t urgent, however as entertainment and sporting events are operating at full capacity once again city staff say the audio system can’t keep up.
“The system is absolutely failing, and part of the system is failing as we speak,” Andy Beesley, director of civic facilities and events told council during Monday night’s meeting.
He said the system is so old there are not even spare parts available for maintenance but staff was able to source a new system that is fiscally responsible.
“Our option is far from the highest end sound system but will be a very good system,” said Beesley.
When asked by council why this project was coming forward now, Beesley said they have stretched it out as long as humanly possible.
He said if the system fails before they can replace it, CN Centre would be forced to rent a new sound system.
“I am of the opinion that doing this sooner rather than later will save us money,” added Coun. Cori Ramsay.
When it came to a vote, council unanimously approved the motion to replace the audio system.
Council also approved another motion to use the Northern Capital and Planning Reserve to add an addition of $890,000 in funding to replace the city hall transformer.
The project will now come in at a total cost of $1.2 million.
The city hall transformer dates back to 1965 and is at end of life and was identified for full replacement by Technical Safety BC back in 2016.
Following the Civic Facilities Renewal Strategy in 2019, a budget was prepared and received funding approval in 2020 at $310,000.
However, the project was also placed on hold due to COVID-19.
With resources in place this year, the project’s budget and scope were reviewed prior to restarting the project and administration says because of cost fluctuations the project budget needs to be revised.
Council also approved this motion.
