Planned enhancements to the downtown Prince George facility should make it a more attractive host for both new and regular events.
City Council approved the Prince George Conference & Civic Centre’s (PGCCC) $30,000 application to Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) to update the centre’s audio/visual system. This means new sound processors, cables, screens, projector ceiling mounts in the upstairs meeting rooms, and new amplifiers installed throughout the building. The current equipment hasn’t been upgraded since the building was erected in 1994.
Back in April, the city also applied to rezone the Civic Centre to make it a liquor primary facility. If approved, the facility could sell alcohol without having to serve food.
Should everything go according to plan, Events & Civic Centre Manager Myles Tycholis believes the PGCCC will become a prime spot to host a wide-range of intimate gatherings.
“It’ll definitely lend itself to us bringing in a variety of different types of events that lean more towards the entertainment side as well so there’s definitely that possibility.”
Tycholis mentioned a few possibilities that would benefit from both of these changes include cabarets, theatre performances, and beer fests with on-stage entertainment. The new equipment would also improve regularly-hosted conferences, galas, and smaller business meetings.
The rezoning would modernize the 23-year-old facility. Tycholis says Prince George is the only major BC conference facility without a liquor primary license. Past concerts, such as Akon and T.I., were dry because of the current zoning.
“This just increases our capacity and flexibility to open the doors and host a greater variety of events that obviously enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Prince George.”
Tycholis says the overhaul will likely happen throughout the summer.
NDIT still has to approve the grant application before any money is awarded.
City Council will soon hold a public hearing on the rezoning.
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