I encourage all residents to watch the video of the presentations on the fire hall and the swimming pool. Each presentation lasts approximately one hour but is very informative. I watched the online fire hall meeting last Tuesday night and went to the chamber to take in the swimming pool presentation. I was very impressed with the presentations as well the questions from the media and city staff responses. There was much info that would be difficult to absorb in writing.
I did not take notes but three items of clarification that caught my interest were:
The city will apply to the federal and provincial governments for infrastructure funding if the projects are approved by referendum. This money would be used to reduce the cost to the Prince George taxpayer.
There will be present capital debts coming off the books at approximately the same time as the new fire hall and swimming pool borrowing occurs, therefore the actual cost on your annual taxes will not reflect the full amount of the new capital expenditures.
The Four Seasons Pool has approximately 115,000 visits per year, which was much more than I had expected. The use of the Four Seasons pool differs from the Aquatic Centre.
Watching will provide you the background to help form your opinion and decision on the referendum vote.
Gerry Lundquist
Prince George
