JOEL MCKAY
PRINCE GEORGE – Northern Development announced the approval of $1,083,234 for five projects throughout its service region that seek to strengthen their communities and the economy.
At its July 27 meeting, Northern Development’s board of directors approved the following projects:
$300,000 was approved under the Recreation Infrastructure program for the Village of Fraser Lake curling rink upgrade. This project entails a complete overhaul of the facility including new refrigeration piping and headers, upgraded windows, the replacement of the sand floor with a concrete slab, new water repellant wall surfaces, energy efficient LED lighting and a full lobby makeover, along with various other improvements. With these upgrades complete, the rink can be opened to off-season sports such as pickleball and floor hockey and can provide community space for groups (community meetings, weddings and funerals) to use.
$300,000 was approved under the Economic Infrastructure program to the Fort St. John Seed Cleaning Cooperative Association for plant improvements. This project involves the purchase and installation of a state-of-the-art Cimbria SEA Optical Sorter, Chromex Colour Sorter, Cimbria Heid Gravity Separator, Cimbria Delta Model 107 Super Cleaner and the required associated equipment. With the addition of this equipment the plant will be able to efficiently clean unwanted seeds and foreign objects from all grains, cereal crops, seeds and pulses. The addition will also create a significant increase in capacity and throughput, which will allow the plant to clean more seed and in turn, help more farmers in the surrounding areas.
$200,000 was approved under the Northern Housing Incentive program for the Village of McBride to incentivize a multi-phased development in the community. The project entails the construction of twenty, two-bedroom rental suites in duplexes and quadplexes on 2nd Avenue. These are independent living suites targeted towards seniors. Each unit will be approximately 800 sq ft, house two bedrooms and provide ground level exterior entry. Construction will be in phases beginning in 2022 and fully complete in 2024.
$145,627 was approved under the Economic Infrastructure program for the Xat’sull hydroponic vertical farm. This project involves the purchase and installation of a commercial hydroponics growing system on the Xat’sull First Nation. This year-round operation will provide food security to the community, promote food sovereignty and provide a platform for health/nutrition education in addition to creating employment and training opportunities for community members. The greenhouse will also generate revenues for the Nation from the retail sales of the produce grown.
$137,607 was approved under the Cultural Infrastructure program for the Knox music hall development project in Prince George. The project consists of redeveloping Trinity Downtown into a professional-level music performance venue for a wide variety of performing arts and live events – accessible to a wide range of users and community groups. The space will hold 250-300 people for ticketed events. This is phase one of a multi-phased project and includes updating the in-floor heating system to facilitate the removal of pews and shift to adaptable chair seating, installing professional sound equipment and LED DMX controlled lighting, stage drapery and partial roof replacement.
“These latest projects really reflect the vision of the Trust to establish the North as a place that people want to live, work and play in. Investments in housing, the arts, food security, agricultural and community infrastructure play a huge role in retaining and attracting residents,” said Joel McKay, CEO of Northern Development Initiative Trust
Gene Runtz, Mayor, Village of McBride
“This funding will support the development of twenty units of much-needed seniors housing in McBride and contribute to the creation of local jobs in construction, administration and maintenance. Increasing housing options for seniors in McBride will support our older adults to remain living in their home community and at the same time will free up larger homes and acreages for growing families and newcomers.”
Reverend Dr. Bob Fillier, Trinity Downtown
“The grant from NDIT is truly significant for us and our vision for our downtown space. It’s not just the funding, it’s also how it signals support for what we’re proposing to do. It’s a different way of doing things that creates ecosystems of partnerships and innovation that helps build vibrant, inclusive, resilient communities. Over the next six months artists in, around, and coming to Prince George will have access to an affordable professional venue renovated with them in mind.”
