Prince George is now on the province's housing targets list
And millions for Aquatic Centre upgrades
The province of B.C. has announced a list of 20 new communities that will be given housing targets — that is, a set number of new housing units that need to built in the coming years in order to meet growing demand.
Most of the 20 new communities are in Metro Vancouver and southern Vancouver Island, although Kelowna, West Kelowna and Prince George are also on the list.
These 20 places join 10 who were put on the last year — and already have had their targets set for them. The District of North Vancouver is the closest in size to Prince George — almost exactly the same population, in fact — and has been given a baseline of 2,838 new units by 2028. It’s not based on population alone, it’s also based on what’s available and projected population growth so there’s no guarantee that will be what Prince George has to build, but it’s the best guess available to me at the moment.
The government says it will set the targets for Prince George and the 19 other municipalities on its list this summer.
$6.3M more going to Aquatic Centre upgrades
The city has put its council meeting highlights up online which includes a budget increase to Aquatic Centre upgrades from $8.5 million to $14.88 million:
Phase 1(a) and (1b) – Option to further improve energy efficiency through phase 1a ($1.3 million) and phase 1b ($1.85 million).
Phase 2 – Repairs to the structural steel/columns and dive tank sparger system. Replacement of main entry soffits, curtain wall, and air handling units cooling coils. Addition of energy recovery on air handling units. Budget estimate: $7.9 million
Phase 3 – Replacement of health/life safety items including deck, lobby and visitor area tile, handrails, plumbing fixtures, fire alarm system and sprinkler heads. Budget estimate: $4.5 million
Phase 4 – Replacement of moveable bulkheads, change room tiles, overhead and underwater light fixtures and emergency system lighting, in addition to interior repainting, hydronic piping reconfiguration, increased access controls, accessibility improvements, and reconfigured reception desk. Budget estimate: $6.6 million
The City still requires approval from the public on the borrowing of the $22.15 million and a report will be presented to council at the next meeting with options as to how best fulfil that obligation
Other highlights include the community safety forum proposed by Sampson, Bennett and Ramsay going ahead in May and an update from the Hospice Society on their operations, which you can also read about here.
On the topic of the temporary housing project going in near Moccasin Flats, you can read reports in the Citizen and My Prince George Now, or listen to interviews on CBC.
News roundup:
Laying off 10 per cent of the Fraser Lake has been good for business.
Firefighters train with Structural Protection Unit at Otway.
Prices continue to vary in Northern B.C. says Housing Affordability Indicator Report.
Jameel Aziz hoping to provide equity and stability as SD57 Superintendent.
Day of Mourning for workers injured or killed on the job planned for April 28.
Today’s song:
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Send feedback by emailing northerncapitalnews@gmail.com. Find me online at akurjata.ca.
City: howling about STR's....wah wah wah
Province: No. And you get put on our housing hit list.
Beautiful.