Listen Live
Listen Live

“It put us on the map,”: PG Mayor says CN Centre helped push the city forward

From Elton John to the Prince George Cougars, the CN Centre has seen no shortage of acts come through the northern capital.

Today (Monday), marks the 25th anniversary of the facility since it first opened to the public in 1995.

Mayor Lyn Hall told MyPGNow.com getting the arena built was vital in putting the city on equal footing with cities like Kamloops and Kelowna.

“When you take a look at other communities in the province who are about the same size as us they already had those amenities and it was important for us to have those amenities. Council and administration at the time knew it was a big decision but at the end of the day, it has certainly paid off.”

He added it was important to keep the momentum rolling after watching UNBC open up in 1990.

“It was really the next step. It was the next in Prince George becoming a big city, it was the next step for us to acquire a WHL team and was an addition to the university where we saw it come along and then we had CN Centre.”

“In some respects, it has put us on the map in various areas whether it’s on the hockey side or events perspective so people need to celebrate what that means to our community or I would like them to celebrate what it means to us over the last 25 years there are some huge success stories there.”

Hall can’t wait to see more memories created within the CN Centre once large gatherings are given the green light again following the pandemic.

“It’s gonna happen again, this isn’t the end of it, this will happen again. Once the pandemic ends you are going to see events come back to the CN Centre and is still a focal point within our community and that’s what’s key for me.”

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

<p>

- Advertisement -
</p>

Latest News

Adam Bremner-Akins joins B.C. Greens leadership slate

The B.C. Greens have announced Adam Bremner-Akins from Port Coquitlam as the third and final candidate in the party’s leadership race.

Drought and strong winds challenging firefighters in B.C.’s northeast

The B.C. Wildfire Service has warned today's strong winds expected across much of the province could lead to more extreme wildfire activity.

Website refresh surfaces more of your important local stories

Regular visitors to this website will have noticed some changes to the home page and other templates in recent days.

City launching update for Active Transportation Plan

The City of Prince George is launching an update to its Active Transportation Plan, and is inviting feedback from residents. According to the City, the updated plan will guide the development of infrastructure and programs which support safer, more accessible, and more convenient travel options for people of all ages and abilities. 

Three B.C. First Nations get federal funding for clean energy projects

Three First Nations in British Columbia will receive federal funding for clean energy projects.
- Advertisement -