The issue of a Performing Arts Centre for Prince George has been simmering for decades.
In 2007, due to an upwell of support, the city council of the day asked that a society be incorporated to take the steps necessary to bring a Performing Arts Centre into being.
A meeting was held at the Ramada. It was filled to overflowing with supporters. Over 1,000 people joined the Prince George Performing Arts Centre Society.
Since then, the follpwing steps have been taken:
2007 - IPG leads formation of the PGRPAC Society to advocate for the PAC.
2007 - City of Prince George invests in PAC needs analysis.
2009 - City invests in PAC detailed business plan.
2009 - Smart Growth recommends PAC for downtown within cultural district.
2009 - Task Force for a Better Downtown (Downtown Partnership) formed.
2010 - DBIA includes PAC in its vision of downtown.
2010 - City of Prince George invests in a more detailed business plan, site analysis and concept plan.
2011 - Initial City application for P3 Canada Funding not successful, but encouraged to reapply.
2012 - Planning Study Task Force report presented to city council.
2014 - Marketing and communications plan.
Study by Dan Adamson.
Where we are currently is a two-theatre venue - one theatre of 250 seats and the other of 800 seats. The financing was to shared by an equal contribution of approximately one-third from each of the three levels of government.
Under the Adamson funding formula, the city, by donating land, selling the playhouse or using Terasen Gas funds can easily cover its share without having to borrow a cent.
Recently, the federal government has designated billions of dollars for infrastructure spending.
The opportunity is there to obtain the balance of the financing but before any successful request for funding can be made, there must be a demonstration of support from the city for the project.
To date, city council has spent almost a quarter of a million dollars on the studies and assessments for the PAC. If this money is not going to be lost, we must move forward expeditiously in a concrete way.
The issue of the PAC is due to be addressed at the city council meeting on Monday
Now is the time for the mayor and council to show leadership and take advantage of the historic opportunity to move ahead with this project.
I have been a member of the board for both the Performing Arts Centre Society and Theatre NorthWest. The foregoing is my opinion only and does not represent the opinion of those boards.
James H. Cluff
Prince George
