I feel I must write this article to try and get some solid answers for the citizens of Prince George regarding a few issues: the true cost of the Canada Winter Games, the new property tax hike city council is proposing and the bid for the 2020 BC Summer Games.
First, I have a few simple questions that city council should be able to answer and is important information for all the citizens of Prince George.
1) From what I have read the true cost of the Canada Winter Games was $46,500,000 dollars. Or was it $47,500,000 dollars?
I have seen both numbers in different articles I have also read these numbers were raised ($7 million from private sector, $1 million from ticket sales and $37 million from public pockets) But that adds up to $45,000,000?
2) What is the dollar amount city hall raised from the added property tax place on all property tax bills starting in 2011 to 2015 designated for the 2015 Canada Winter Games and where was it used?
3) What was the amount the City of Prince George had to pay to the Canada Winter Games in total?
4) What are the legacies that were left by the Canada Winter Games for all the citizens of Prince George to use and what was the true dollar value?
5) Will the City of Prince George be taking the added tax levied placed on the citizens of Prince George for the Canada Winter Games off all the property tax bills before they add the new three per cent tax increase they are now talking about or will they just blend this amount in to the citizens of Prince George regular tax bill?
These question come from my concerns that the City of Prince George are proceeding with yet another event called the 2020 BC Summer Games.
The above questions should be answered clearly and all the citizens of Prince George should have a clear say as to what they want, before the city council should proceed any further.
Now some personal comments:
1) If the city funds that were raised from the tax increase did go to the Kin 1 rebuild and/or the biathlon ski track at Otway ski trails, what percent of the citizens of Prince George will really benefit from these legacies?
Kin 1 was working fine other than seating room if I understand correctly, so creating another rink surface would have been better to help with creating more ice time?
2) As per many articles in the paper and stories on TV, most of the business around the city were very disappointed in what the Games brought the city - mainly because the promised influx in revenue didn't happen, except for a very few business and commercial property owners.
3) I find it difficult to accept that the city of Prince George or any municipality feels it is fair to increase property taxes on lower income families to rebuild a hockey arena and build a biathlon track many will never use or be a part of.
So before the city commits to another games venue and increase our property tax yet again, these issues should be looked at and explained clearly to all the citizens of Prince George.
Murray Mooney, Prince George
