The Prince George Performing Arts Centre Society is seeking $1 million in support from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.
The society is planning to construct a $42.5 million performing arts centre in Prince George's downtown which would have benefits for the region, society president Tom Madden said.
"We would attract national and international performers, while providing local artists a venue to perform," Madden said. "Certainly it complements the regional district's cultural plan. [And] we're hoping the project could be seen as a centenary project in the community."
In June the City of Prince George and the society 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.
Madden said the society is expecting to hear back by mid-September if the project will be approved to enter the next phase of the P3 Canada process. That second phase will likely involved a more detailed business case for the centre.
Having a financial commitment from the regional district will help reduce some of the uncertainties going into phase two, Madden said.
"We believe it's important to have some of the uncertainty from the funding sources," he said. "[But] we are working on the philanthropic aspect and we know fundraising will be an important part of this project."
The Prince George Regional Performing Arts Centre Society has proposed the centre would include a 800-seat, multi-use theatre, a 250-seat 'black box' theatre, multi-use rehearsal space, public foyer and reception space, and administrative offices.
The proposed building is based on a needs assessment and business case which were developed in 2008.
The regional district board of directors didn't make a commitment to provided the funding, but referred the matter to administration for more information.
"I want to support a performing arts centre... but I share the concern about where the money will come from," director Dave Wilbur said. "One of the worries I have about this is once the capital is done and people go away, we'll need funds to operate it."
Mackenzie Mayor Stephanie Killam, who represents the town on the board of directors, was blunt about her concerns.
"As a town not that close to Prince George... how does it benefit us?"
