June 29, 2005 for immediate release

TheCity of Prince George and the University of Northern British Columbia have created a corporation tooversee the development of the new Northern Sport Centre. The partnershipreflects the importance of the project for both the City and the University.

NorthernSport Centre Limited (NSCL) has a Board of Directors that includesrepresentation from the City, UNBC, sport, the regional district, localbusiness, the medical community, and aboriginal organizations. Its members areCharles Jago, George Paul, Tom Madden, Sharon Cochran, Bill Lynch, Ray Gerow,Janet Ames, Derek Bates, Mike Bell, Tuppy Hoehn, Bill Percival, and LenMcNamara. The Board is chaired by Councilor Cliff Dezell.

NSCLwill implement the concept for the Northern Sport Centre, accumulate input frompotential users of the facility, and identify additional sources of funding forthe project. In April, the Government of BC committed $20.5 million towards thecreation of the Northern Sport Centre.

“Wehave already begun the process of selecting a private sector partner to design,build, finance, and operate the Northern Sport Centre. We’re issuing a Requestfor Qualifications today that will allow us to gain information from companiesthat have experience in these kinds of projects,” says Cliff Dezell, Chair ofthe NSCL Board. “We’re still several months away from construction but the RFQwill really give us an idea of the kinds of companies that are interested inthis opportunity and what it could bring to the community and region.”

It’sproposed that the Northern Sport Centre will be built at UNBC and include agymnasium with seating for 2000, and indoor fieldhouse with indoor track, andspace for high-performance training and coach offices. By strengthening Prince George’s role as apost-secondary education centre, the NSC will provide more opportunities fornortherners to pursue sport and education in their home region.

Contact:

Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622