The Prince George Kodiaks Football Club is looking for upgrades to the facilities they use within the city.
Kodiaks President Craig Briere presented to city council at Monday’s meeting, outlining what the team is looking for.
“One of the things we’d like to work towards is seeing a practice facility developed on our space that we have leased from the city in the Hart,” Craig Briere, Prince George Kodiaks President.
“We feel the Hart could use more recreational facilities, and obviously having a lit field there would expand opportunities for things such as youth recreation, other sports such as ultimate or soccer, or whatever organizations need to use it, but also allowing for the general Hart community space for recreation.”
The main ask for the practice facility in the Hart is lights allowing them to practice longer into the evening.
“Our players are 18 to 22, they all come here either to go to school or be employed, therefore our practice times are limited to certain times in the evening,” Briere explained.
“Team meetings start shortly after six, players are to step on the field around seven, practices don’t end until around 9:30, by the time everybody gets out of there it’s around 10:00, 10:30.”
Briere also noted they’ve attempted to use the UNBC Fieldhouse for training, but noted it’s a very well used facility which is difficult to get into.
The other ask is more seating capacity at Masich Place Stadium during games.
According to Briere, the Kodiaks led the Canadian Junior Football League in attendance with over 1,800 paid tickets per game last season.
“It is great, but really there is limitations as to seating capacity in order to accommodate what we anticipate the demand for our program to be this upcoming season,” he said.
“Junior football was very unknown until the season, and with leading the country in attendance we anticipate those numbers are going to continue to rise.”
Briere added they’re not asking for the city to foot the bill.
“Our intent was to work with the city on having capital lease improvements done to the space of which would be encapsulated into our lease over a period time, and ultimately at the end of the day have our organization repay those capital improvements, so that at the end of the day it’s a net-zero to the city,” Briere explained.
“Our group is very committed, dedicated to what we’re trying to accomplish here. We want to make sure our program in the coming years is best in class, best in Canada, and ultimately representing Prince George as best as we can.”
Council voted to have staff work with the team on a report for opportunities and options for council to consider regarding the facility.
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