Updates on the Corporate Workplan and the Jumpstart Multisport Initiative as well as a public hearing on a mixed-use, health service centre on Recplace Drive were all on the agenda for the February 28 meeting of Prince George City Council.
Jumpstart Multisport Court Initiative
The City’s Director of Civic Operations and the Associate Vice President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities provided Council with a status update on the progress being made on the Jumpstart Multisport Court capital project previously presented in late 2021.
In spring of 2021, the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charity contacted the City to explore the establishment of an inclusive play project. Administration worked with the Jumpstart Charity to establish which inclusive play facility could support the City’s current recreational facility inventory. A Multisport Court was chosen as it provides multiple sport configurations and can serve all ages and abilities. Jumpstart Charities will build the inclusive multisport court valued at $500,000.
The Multisport Court project requires site development and financial commitment from the City to complete the site preparation work. The City has determined that the site initially selected for the facility would exceed the project budget due to geotechnical issues at the location. Consequently, a new location across Massey Drive has been selected to replace an old tennis court. Administration will conduct a geotechnical investigation to confirm that the new site is suitable.
Washroom project at Carrie Jane Gray Park receives budget enhancement
Council received an update on a park washroom refurbishment at Carrie Jane Gray Park. In 2021, Council approved the project to support the 2022 BC Summer Games in Prince George.
The City obtained qualified consulting services to develop an engineered design for construction. The construction of the Carrie Jane Gray Park washroom went to tender in June of 2021. The City received one tender, which was over the estimated project budget approved by Council. Staff went to tender a second time in 2022 and again received only one bid on the project which was also over the original budget estimate.
In accordance with the Council Organizational Capital Project Management Policy, if preliminary cost estimates need to be adjusted, the project must be brought back to Council for final budget approval. On Monday, City Administration requested an additional $260,000 to complete the project, which was approved by Council.
Public hearing for health and dental office
A formal public hearing was held about an application to construct of mixed-use health and dental office at 2740 Recplace Drive near the intersection of Highways 97 and 16. Council approved the application for first and second reading. A traffic impact analysis and servicing brief have been requested from the applicant to further review potential impacts on current infrastructure.
Corporate Workplan update
City Administration provided Council with its Corporate Workplan for 2022 – 2023. At its January 10, 2022 meeting, Council unanimously approved the 2022 – 2024 Strategic Plan. The approved Strategic Plan informed Administration’s development of a Corporate Workplan. The Plan is one component of the City’s integrated planning and performance measurement process, a cycle that integrates the City’s long-term service strategies and policy directions, departmental plans, emerging priorities, and financial planning with performance monitoring and reporting.
The Plan helps ensure that public funds are allocated to Council’s top priorities, and that City staff understand how their work fits into the goals that underpin the Strategic Plan. Administration will periodically report to Council on the progress of the goals identified in the Corporate Work Plan.
All of the reports from the agenda of the February 28 meeting of Council are available on the City website.