Two directors of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George are opposing any move to provide funding for a performing arts
centre in Prince George.
On Thursday the regional district's board of directors received a report from district staff on possible ways to meet the $1 million funding request from the Prince George Regional Performing Art Centre Society.
Board vice-chairperson Terry Burgess, director for area G of the district, and electoral area D director Bob Headrick made it clear their constituents oppose any funding for the proposed centre.
"I think we send it back and have nothing to do with it until the rural areas have their say on it," Burgess said.
"This is not the time to be spending this kind of money. Rural taxpayers won't support it."
The district report spelled out five possible funding options for the $1 million request: borrowing the million and repaying it over two, five or 10 years; a one-year $1 million tax requisition; or increasing taxes by $329,000 for three years.
The projected costs to taxpayers - including Prince George residents - ranged from $0.87 per $100,000 of assessed property value for 10 years, to $6.96 per $100,000 per assessed property value for one year.
The estimated cost of borrowing the $1 million ranged from $32,000 to $225,000 depending on the length of the loan.
"We do not want it," Headrick said. "We've got people who are hurting right now. We've got an economy that is shaky as Hell."
Headrick said if the district attempted to approve the funding, he would lead the call for a referendum on the issue.
The proposed $42.5 million performing arts centre would include an 800-seat, multi-use theatre, a 250-seat black-box theatre, multi-use rehearsal space, public foyer and reception space, and
administrative offices.
The society and City of Prince George have applied to P3 Canada, a federal Crown corporation mandated to promote public-private partnerships, for funding and support. If successful, the project could be eligible for federal grants up to 25 per cent of the cost.
Prince George Mayor Dan Rogers said the regional district board should not make any decision on the report until more information is available from P3 Canada.
"I don't see any urgency in dealing with this," Rogers said. "Who knows what this project is, who will pay for it and what that will cost. Let's receive the report ... we don't need to act on it."
Prince George city councillor and regional district director Debora Munoz said the performing arts centre would not go forward without significant funding from external sources.
"We don't have $43 million upfront to pay for a performing arts centre, I think everyone around this table can recognize that much," Munoz said.
The regional district board of directors received the staff report, but took no action on it. Burgess and Headrick voted against receiving the report.
Prince George Regional Performing Art Centre Society president Tom Madden could not be reached for comment as of press time.
