Two capital projects get Council’s nod

“It’s not going to be able to service the CN Center in the long term. So $1 million, it’s from the capital budget. We need to dedicate to the replacement of that sound system.”

Most people think the sole users of the CN Center and its sound system are the Prince George Cougars. Not so. “At the end of the day. The CN Center is still a multiplex and it’s a host to the WHL Cougars. But there are so many other events that require the sound system,” says Beesley. “Things like the ESSO cup, the Telus Cup, the Women’s World Curling Championships, future things that we want to do in there that all require a sound system. It’s a refrigeration plant, seats, boards, glass sound system. You have to have it all in order to be a genuine multiplex.”

The second project that was on the table last night, and the costlier one, is a new transformer to keep the lights on at City Hall.

“We were told that we need to replace it and again, it’s not something you have to do instantly, but we were put on notice that it does need to be replaced. And again, this has all been part of the planning process, methodical look at it to make sure we’re doing it right and we only want to do it once for another 50 or 60 years. So it has taken quite a long time to investigate exactly what we need to do and come up with a really good plan,” says Beesley.

“The building itself is built in 1967, so in the 50 years’ time, in a hundred years’ time, I’m sure we need to have a new building here as well. And Kopar Arena, Convention Center, Symphony Hall, new Art Gallery. All of this requires a lot of power,” says Mayor Yu.

Council has agreed to fund an additional $890,000 for a total project cost of $1.2 million. Both projects are being funded through the Northern Capital and Planning Reserve Fund.

by Cheryl Jahn

Two capital projects get Council’s nod

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