Wildfires, infrastructure tops Prince George Year in Review

It’s a time of reflection in Prince George as the New Year approaches.

Mayor Lyn Hall notes some moments that stick out in his mind for the last 12 months.

“The B.C. wildfire evacuation folks that we received here in Prince George, that was a real test of our ability to step up and really help these folks out,” says Hall.

“We went from that to being able to continue with our day-to-day operation; we had some major infrastructure projects.”

One of the biggest stories of the year in not only the city but all of British Columbia is the wildfires.

PG took in over 10,000 evacuees and worked around the clock supporting them for three months.

“We know that it could happen to us, it could happen that we receive evacuees again next year, or it could mean that we’re impacted by wildfires around Prince George so it was a real learning experience and we took a lot from that.”

2017 was also the year of infrastructure for the city.

The completion of the Riverbend Senior’s Housing Complex and the approval of the downtown residential condominium development top the list of projects.

Here is a closer look at the condominium and parkade development that A&T Project Developments plans to construct downtown across from City Hall starting next year. https://t.co/dGw8fHaL3o pic.twitter.com/xny6INQp1t

— Prince George, BC (@CityofPG) December 19, 2017

Next year, Hall says, will look quite similar.

“I think we have another year where we’re looking at infrastructure,” he explains.

“2018 is going to be a planning year for the referendum we held on the fire hall and the four seasons swimming pool so that’s going to be an exciting year; planning and developing and hoping for some construction to start perhaps even on the fire hall late fall.”

Hall says 2018 will feature some more below-ground infrastructure work, some new announcements to come in the new year, residential work, and he hopes to continue working for seniors.