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Multi-Centre history

In 2001 the North Cariboo Joint Planning Commission (the seven members of Quesnel City Council and the Cariboo Regional District's four northern directors) commissioned a study of the future of arena #1. The report laid out a number of options. The NCJPC decided the best option was to keep it operating for five more years, during which time planning for a replacement would begin.

During 2004 and 2005, in a separate planning initiative defined a future vision for Quesnel entitled Quesnel 2020. The group worked over many months to define a vision and identified a number of key initiatives. Among those was a replacement for the arena and the construction of a theatre.

These projects were examined in 2005, with two reports, one by Schick Shiner & Associates that examined the possibilities for a performing arts centre, and a pre-feasibility study for the Multi-Centre by Cannon Design.

In September 2006, the NCJPC struck the Multi-Centre Task Force. The task force reviewed all the reports and defined a vision for the Multi-Centre. The vision included a 450-seat theatre, an arena with 2,000 seats, and assembly space.

Once the vision was generated, a comprehensive public consultation process was undertaken. There were seven open public meetings, three within City boundaries and one in each electoral area. There was also a series of meetings with individual stakeholders, such as local business improvement associations, industry, seniors, and arts and sporting groups. During this process a survey was completed, gathering 446 responses. Of that total some two-thirds of respondents supported the project in general. This survey was not statistically valid as it was not a random sampling of the general population. The results, however, were used to hone the vision and determine the next best steps.

The next step involved completing a business plan for the proposed Multi-Centre. The report required that the author investigate and report on:

• Past, present and future demographic trends.
• Past, present and future demand for the three proposed components of the multi-centre.
• The economic impact on the community.
• Sources of capital funding for the multi-centre.
• Operational costs of the current arenas and those of the future multi-centre.
• Operational options for the multi-centre.
• Current taxation rates and projections for the future based on other assumptions.
• The need for a third arena and consideration of options for its operation.
• Commentary on the pros and cons of a downtown location for the multi-centre, its economic impact, and proposals for an approach to its development that would maximize leverage of other business and community investments.

The preparation of the report started in March 2007, with the final report received in July 2007. (Click here to view the business plan.)

In the fall of 2007, Urban Systems completed a traffic and parking study, looking at two locations – the proposed downtown location and Alex Fraser Park. The downtown location features 2,300 private and public parking spots within a 400-metre radius, which could adequately serve the needs of the facilities in the area. The Alex Fraser Park site required significant investment in new parking infrastructure that would obliterate a large portion of the Park’s green space.

In December 2007 a statistically valid survey of area residents was conducted. The survey is considered accurate within plus or minus 5.5%, 19 times out of 20. The results showed 51% support construction, with 28% undecided and 21% not in favour.

After these key reporting pieces were completed, the project’s final scope was recommended to the NCJPC in May 2008. This was followed with a final location recommendation, made in June 2008.

In July 2008 the CRD Board approved the first three readings of the bylaw, paving the way for the referendum on November 15, 2008.

On November 15, 2,765 residents voted in favour, while 2,525 voted against the proposal.

The NCJPC struck the Design Advisory Committee to begin working on the development of a Request For Proposals for construction.

In late 2009/early 2010, the City and CRD developed Request for Qualifications and Request For Proposals documents for a Design-Build project. Those documents were completed in April 2010.

The City and CRD have taken the Multi-Centre project to the point where no more work can be done until all funding is in place.

This project remains a top priority for the City and CRD. Elected officials continue to actively lobby representatives from senior government in hopes of securing funding.

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Links

History

Technical reports

What is Design Build?

The referendum and how it affects you

Committees

Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

Backgrounder

Fact Sheet

News Releases

Contact us

You may send correspondence to: multicentre@city.quesnel.bc.ca