A local arts leader criticized the decision made by the city council regarding the Civic Core Plan, stating that it was made without consultation with user groups like the arts and hockey.
More than two hours was dedicated to the discussion of the city's new Civic Core Plan at a recent council meeting, and a decision was made - but without input from the groups that would use the space, a local arts leader told The Citizen. Choosing from two plans developed by staff and a third option proposed by Mayor Yu, council members gave staff the directive to explore the second option.
There’s something really dysfunctional about what’s happened,” said Eli Klasner, outgoing Community Arts Council of Prince George & District executive director. “The complete lack of consultation with all of the user groups - ice hockey and the arts - on these concepts that were presented and then at the same time during the council meeting certain decisions were being made about specific design requirements, seating and capacity, etc. I feel like we were being gaslit here. I thought ‘is this really happening?’” With the proposed second option of the Civic Core Plan under consideration, the Spruce Kings BC Hockey League team that uses Kopar Memorial Arena is in jeopardy because they can't use a space that does not meet BC Hockey League specifications as explained in an in-depth story published in The Citizen recently. “There is real jeopardy for them because of decisions that were made without any input or advisement from them,” Klasner said. “Why, why, why did you do it this way? It seems like we know enough in this world about being inclusive and engaging people, building community support but this is the way not to do it. There were so many things that were said and brought forward that just didn’t make any sense.” In the Civic Core Plan Option 2 there is a small diagram called Performing Arts Centre that states it would have 800 seats. “That’s not a performing arts centre,” Klasner said. “A performing arts centre has multiple theatres within it. It has significant space for things like rehearsals and set construction, prop storage, and administratio
CIVIC CORE PLAN ARTS GROUPS HOCKY LEAGUE CITY COUNCIL CONSULTATION
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