City council is seeking more information before making a final decision about a proposed park development at the corner of Ospika Boulevard and 22nd Avenue.
In December, city council deferred a decision on the proposed Prince George Community Foundation and Rotary Mega Park until after the 2023 budget cycle. The community foundation and downtown Prince George Rotary club have partnered to raise money to build the park, but a report on the life-cycle cost of owning the park estimated that operations, maintenance and capital renewal projects would cost the city $68 million over 50 years. The majority of the costs, more than $41.6 million, were associated with major capital renewals which were projected to be needed around year 24 of the park's operational life.
The annual operating cost was projected to be $107,000 per year, plus inflation.
“I don’t want this to die tonight,” Coun. Brian Skakun told representatives of the community foundation and Rotary club. “(But) obviously, you’re going to have to come back with some firm numbers.”
The proposed park would include a junior adventure park, youth adventure park, spray park, accessible playground, bicycle pump track, senior-friendly outdoor fitness station and other amenities.
A motion, put forward by Coun. Cori Ramsay, to move forward with a partnering agreement with the community groups was defeated by council.
“I grew up near a mega park in Parksville. It was a huge attraction,” Ramsay said.
While $68 million is a lot of money, she said, over 50 years it will amount roughly 0.005 per cent of the city’s budget.
“We dump millions of dollars into things that aren’t our jurisdiction… parks are our jurisdiction,” Coun. Kyle Sampson said. “We should be doing our best to work towards a ‘yes.’”
Sampson said he is worried that if council continues to postpone making a final decision, the generous gift being offered by the community groups will come off the table.
Mindy Stroet, director of development for the Prince George Community Foundation, said it will be up to the boards of the two organizations if they are prepared to continue trying to fund the park for the city.
City council voted to request additional information about the financial plan for the park, including potential revenue-generating opportunities.
“I want this. I love it,” Coun. Garth Frizzell said. “But it’s really expensive.”
