A shortlist of properties will soon be whittled down to one for the home of the Rocky Mountain Rangers.
As officials for the new army reserve unit went about the city looking for a Prince George location, speculation followed. The incoming militia needs an armory, a training centre, and a base of operations all in one place.
"We have more than one location in mind, and the real estate people from the Department of National Defense are in negotiations," said Lt. Col. Kevin Tyler, the commanding officer of the Rocky Mountain Rangers (RMR).
"We are in no position to announce anything. We don't know much more than you do about where the final location will be, until we get the word from the real estate people. In the next few weeks we should know more."
There was some suggestion the RMR would be moving into the City of Prince George's vacant downtown maintenance yard on the east side of Queensway, but the city's manager of real estate, Ian Wells, put that rumour to rest.
"They are not looking at a city-owned site, it is a negotiation with private interests," said Wells. "If there is a possibility of zoning changes, or any building permits, development permits, we would become involved more then, if that is what is required."
Tyler confirmed it would be required. The particulars of a militia's home would not be found in any piece of property on the open market for sale or lease.
"Once we do have a contract, we will need to renovate the property to meet our needs," he said.
There was also guessing being done about the RMRs taking over the Chinese medical school and weekend market at the former North Nechako elementary school site. Property owner Rocky Chen told The Citizen that he had been approached, military representatives and had done a site visit, but then no more was heard from them for so long that he was moving on with other plans for his facility.
Wherever the RMRs end up, said Wells, it will represent a victory for the whole region.
"We have been working with them, all the way to the federal level, for years to attract them to our community," he said.
"We are excited about making this community their home, and we are working with them to facilitate finding a potential base of operations. That whole process is a lot different than a business or a not-for-profit agency coming in to look for a home. This comes with many other considerations."
The employment it will provide, the services and supplies they will obtain from local businesses, and the new cultural dimension they will bring to the area will be transformative, Wells said.
