Jordan Yu is looking to expand the horizons of the iconic Prince George Roll-A Dome after securing a new three-year lease.
The future of the 69-year-old building was in question last summer after the previous operator Jon Lafontaine didn’t renew his lease, fuelling talk the building would be sold to a developer.
Yu operates the Northern Bounce Basketball Academy, which has made the facility its home base over the past three years.
He told MyPGNow.com the Roll-A-Dome has some sentimental value.
“It’s just a really cool space. A bunch of different people uses it for different reasons and it seems to hold a special place in everyone’s heart. It’s the history too if you have grown up in Prince George you’ve at least been in there for some roller skating or maybe a concert – I think there is a lot of nostalgic memories for people.”
“We have used that space (Northern Bounce) extensively over the past few years and know how valuable it is to at least us. Through that, we have seen all the different user groups use the space and have gotten to know them and we just see how important this space is for the community.”
In addition, he is a Phys-Ed teacher at St. Mary’s School and is the Duchess Park Senior Boys Basketball coach.
Speaking of basketball, Yu also wants to launch a yearly First Nations tournament, similar to the one that is well known in Prince Rupert.
“I know how big of an event that is for their community. We obviously have a strong Indigenous population in Prince George and I think being the centre of BC, I see no reason why the city can’t be a major hub for this tournament.”
“We are working on it as we speak and I think that is a definite possibility that it will happen in Prince George eventually if we can get back to competitive play.”
On top of keeping the youth and adult sports leagues at the Dome, Yu wants to fine-tune things by joining forces with the PG Playhouse.
“We know that sport and education are the two biggest parts of our youth’s lives growing up and if we can help and create a space where kids are growing and bettering themselves what else can you ask for in a facility really.”
“The building obviously needs some upgrading and retro-fitting. I always thought about having some sort of music and dance classes there and more of the fine art things that currently aren’t provided or hard to get into in the city.”
Yu and his silent partners would like to overhaul the upper-level at some point once it is safe to do so.
“Having a restaurant eventually, creating an upper-level into a viewing area and making it a one-stop-shop. You could go there and eat, watch your kid’s game and then we also want to provide an opportunity for kids to come after school, get some studying done by offering tutoring sessions.”
The Roll-A-Dome was built back in 1952 and the 30,000 square foot facility is located on Recreation Place near the intersection of Highways 16 and 97.
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