Downtown pool update
Construction of the new pool is starting to alter the skyline of Prince George’s downtown. City staff provided Council with an update on the progress being made on the building, which is approximately 25% complete, on time, and on budget.
In an effort to make the new pool more appealing to users, Council approved the addition of a “Ninja Cross” obstacle course to the pool at a cost of $500,000. This new amenity will be funded from the $10 million grant to the project that was received from the federal and provincial governments last year. The balance of the grant will offset the loan that the City will need to complete construction. During a referendum in 2017, residents approved a $35 million loan to construct the replacement for the Four Seasons Pool; this loan will now be $25.5 million.
Four Seasons Pool to close permanently
Meanwhile, with regards to the Four Seasons Pool, Council voted to permanently close it and for Administration to return a timeline that would include plans for demolition and the provision of aquatic services until the completion of the new pool. The Four Seasons has been closed since last March, when public health orders prompted the closure of numerous civic facilities.
The staff report indicated there are both costs and benefits to permanently closing the Four Seasons Leisure Pool. The permanent closure of the Pool will result in annual operating savings of roughly $150,000 - $200,000.
January building permits
The new downtown pool isn’t the only large construction project in the community, and building permit numbers from this past January indicate that local construction activity shows no signs of letting up. During Monday evening’s meeting of Prince George City Council, staff provided Council with an update on the building permit numbers and values to-date in 2021. The value of the building permits issued in January are roughly $11.5 Million – a 49% increase over January of 2020. Building permits are an important measure of local economic activity.
New housing developments
Council approved third reading of rezoning bylaws for two projects that aim to provide additional housing options on sites that are currently vacant:
a multi-family supportive housing development on Zelkwas Avenue in the Spruceland neighbourhood.
A mix of single-family and two-unit housing on property across from Balsum Park in the Hart.
Council also granted third reading of a rezoning bylaw to facilitate a cannabis retail operation to be located at the Birchwood Mall.