Civic Core decision delayed

Councillors Garth Frizzell, Cori Ramsay, Kyle Sampson and Susan Scott opposed postponing the decision, arguing enough consultation had already taken place and that council should provide direction before municipal elections bring a new council to the table.

“I think we have done considerable public consultation in the last two years. Today is the day to make a decision,” Ramsay said shortly before the deferral motion was introduced.

The debate centred around several potential configurations for a new arena and performing arts centre in the downtown core.

The Civic Core project has been under discussion for several years and is intended to reshape key city-owned properties around Kopar Memorial Arena, the former Four Seasons Leisure Pool site and the former Knight’s Inn location.

Council’s previously selected preferred concept, endorsed in December 2024, envisioned a 4,500-seat arena on the existing Kopar site. That concept also included an 800-seat performing arts centre, parks and open space, mixed-use residential development on the former pool property and a mixed-use hotel on the former Knight’s Inn site.

As part of the current business case review, consultants examined four arena options alongside a performing arts centre that remains largely unchanged across all concepts.

Each proposal includes an 800-seat theatre or concert hall featuring seating for approximately 500 people on the main floor and 300 in a balcony configuration, as well as a 200-seat theatre that could potentially operate as a black-box performance space.

The primary difference between options is the size and location of the arena.

Option A proposes a 2,000-seat arena on the former Four Seasons Pool site and a performing arts centre on the current Kopar site.

Option B would place a 2,000-seat arena on the existing Kopar site, with the performing arts centre located on the former pool property.

Option C mirrors the concept endorsed by council in 2024, featuring a 4,500-seat arena on the Kopar site and the performing arts centre on the former pool site.

Option D proposes the largest facility, a 6,000-seat arena at the Kopar location alongside the performing arts centre at the former pool property.

City administration recommended moving forward with additional analysis of Options B and D before completing the final business case.

Supporters of proceeding argued that endorsing options for further study would not have committed the city to construction costs or final project approval.

Among those disappointed by the delay was Theatre Northwest executive director Marnie Hamagami, who said the discussion appeared to reflect a misunderstanding of what council was being asked to decide.

“Quite disappointed with the result this evening,” Hamagami said.

“For me, it was a lack of understanding of what was being asked. There was no decision being made in terms of committing the City to any major expenditures. This was about making sure the next Council had the most immediate access to the most current information possible.”

Hamagami said the recommendation was focused on refining information for future decision-makers rather than selecting a final project.

She added that despite years of consultation and planning, the project remains in its early stages considering the magnitude of the investment and long-term implications.

“These are huge decisions and I do want our elected officials to make these decisions with the appropriate information and due consideration,” she said.

“I think that we often talk exclusively about numbers in terms of dollars figures. And while that is hugely important, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that these are quantitative and qualitative decisions to be made.”

While Hamagami said none of the four options stood out above the others from a theatre perspective because each included the same proposed performing arts facilities, arena users see major differences among the alternatives.

The deferral was also met with disappointment by Prince George Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes. The BCHL club is the primary tenant of Kopar Memorial Arena and has closely followed discussions surrounding the facility’s future.

“I’m not surprised, but I’m certainly disappointed by it,” Hawes said.

“Not surprised with the election coming. I guess it’s the easy way out for them. But I hope it doesn’t set things back.”

Hawes said the team has been waiting for clarity on plans for the aging arena and worries the delay could create further uncertainty ahead of the municipal election.

“Specifically talking about Kopar Memorial Arena, it’s at its end of life,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of work and the lines of communication have been exceptional but it does leave us in a little bit of limbo, waiting and continuing to wait. And now with a new council coming in, what’s going to happen in November?”

Unlike arts supporters, Hawes was clear about which proposal he believes best meets the needs of the Spruce Kings.

“There’s no secret. Of the four options, Option A is the only one that works for the Spruce Kings,” he said.

“We cannot have anything built on top of the Kopar site. That could spell the end of the Spruce Kings.”

Option A would see a new 2,000-seat arena constructed on the former Four Seasons Pool property while the performing arts centre would occupy the existing Kopar location, a configuration Hawes believes would allow the team to continue operating without disruption.

With council now opting to defer the matter until November 30, the future direction of the Civic Core project may ultimately become one of the first major issues facing the next city council. Until then, both arts and sports stakeholders say they will continue waiting for greater certainty on plans that could reshape downtown Prince George for decades to come.

by Cheryl Jahn

Civic Core decision delayed

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