Council sang a familiar tune in response to city staff's comprehensive review of the performing arts centre project - they're committed to their commitment and they'll keep talking about it.
During Monday night's council meeting, the group was presented with a slate of recommendations from staff, all in the vein of continuing discussions to propel a PAC to an eventual reality.
At top of mind was the fact that there are not currently any funding partners to make the project move ahead any time soon.
The city's report updates the capital cost (in 2017 dollars) of building a new performing arts centre to about $51 million. The city, province and federal government would ideally split 90 per cent of the cost, with private sector money making up the remainder.
But it could be up to eight years before a provincial funding program is available and at least two before any federal money frees up, explained city manager Beth James.
"It's been acknowledged we can't write a cheque and this isn't going to happen tomorrow," said Coun. Murry Krause.
No one on council has wavered from their support of the performing arts centre, stressed Coun. Cameron Stolz, but the city can't financially support it on its own.
Key to any forward momentum is an ongoing discussion with Theatre Northwest and the Prince George Regional Performing Arts Centre Society to see if they can come to an agreement.
"The importance of this issue can't be understated," said James. The current plan and cost estimates are all reliant on Theatre Northwest being a resident company of the PAC.
Despite the lack of money available, the 92-page report doesn't paint a bleak picture, noted Krause.
The work, spearheaded by Dan Adamson, "reinvigorated and renewed" Coun. Dave Wilbur's faith that the performing arts centre will happen.
"There's a lot of can-dos in it," he said. "We can't get hung up on economics we can't control."
Coun. Brian Skakun brought up the issue of putting a performing arts centre to a referendum.
But according to James, there's not enough information available to craft a referendum question. Detailed design work still has to be completed as well as a more solid cost estimate. The current estimates have a 30 to 40 per cent margin, she said.
