Council Chambers

By Cheryl Jahn

UNBC Land Trust

UNBC gets Council support to make business case for development

Mar 23, 2026 | 9:21 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A delegation from the University of Northern BC went before Council looking for support for a future development endeavour and they got it wholeheartedly.

As part of the university’s original Land Trust, 47 acres of land was set aside across from the main campus for future use. The university has its sights set on 35 acres of that land for long-term, mixed-use development.

The property it was noted, has an assessed value of $1.05 billion at the low end and $1.72 billion at the high end. That could translate into $6.6 million to over $10 million in tax revenues to the City.

However a portion of the land in question is subject to what’s called a “reverter clause,” meaning the Province has sway over how that land will be used.

In its presentation to Council, Interim President Dr. Bill Owen noted the planning to have that portion developed for the benefit of the university and the community has been in the plans for years.

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“It is ultimately about contributing not only to the university but the community as a whole,” he told Council.

The overarching plan would see housing, but not just student housing, to address some of the needs of the growing community. But in order to do that, it needs to negotiate with the Province to have the special clause lifted.

“Ultimately, we have to submit a business case to the Province.”

The university has been in talks with the Lheidli T’enneh already, which has thrown its support behind what the university has planned.

“This is not just a university project,” Dr. Owen told Council. “It supports Northern Health. It supports the Lheidli T’enneh. “Bringing the partners together shows the support of the community.”

And now Council has added its voice to the mix.

“There are a number of reasons the Province should do this,” noted Councillor Cori Ramsay, referring to lifting the clause, suggesting as a northern university, it would be prudent for other northern BC communities to add their voices in support.

Dr. Owen also pointed out that, unlike most universities, there are 16,000 reasons to move ahead on this, referring to the number of residents who signed a petition to get a university in Northern BC more than 25 years ago.

The university’s request was overwhelmingly supported by Council, which referred it to the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.