I find many long-time residents of P.G. live in the modern age, but many people are stuck in the past when it comes to the growth of the city and surrounding area especially where it concerns population growth. When I moved here in 1996 I was told this city would never grow much because nobody wants to move here. That might have been the case at one time, but the latest census numbers depending on whose census you want to believe has the population pegged at anywhere between 71,000 and 92,000 people living within the city limits. Just within the bowl and not including College heights, Hart, Shelley, Tabor or Cranbrook hill there is just over 67,000 people if you include all areas within city limits and within 20 miles of the city boundry the number is close to breaking the 100,000 mark.
Now I am pretty sure there are brainiacs who will read this and come up with different numbers from any number of sources. Just remember nobody can agree on the exact population of P.G., that includes federal, provincial and the city itself. I know because all three contradict themselves repeatedly. This city will break the 100,000 mark sooner than later as the north is booming and P.G. is the central hub for it all everything that goes east, west, north and south all must go through P.G.
P.G. is slowly starting to become a destination city rather than a pass-through city yet most long-time residents choose to not see it as many still live many years in the past and most can't even tell you what the city or surrounding region has to offer for things to see and do. Its time to start coming out of your shells and see the city for what it is a modern cosmopolitan city with most everything larger cities offer plus some. Everything from Fine dining to one-stop shopping to arts and entertainment to any number of outdoor activities and more, yet ask almost any long-time resident, they are at a loss for words on what there is to do in and around P.G.
On one last note, Prince George is the still the second largest city in northern Canada after Edmonton. If don't believe me get a map of Canada draw a line across Canada using Edmonton as the start point. Now that is something to think about.
Dean Soiland
Prince George
