Dora Baycroft

The Northern Health Cancer clinic to be built in Prince George as an extension of the Prince George Regional Hospital, reports the Prince George Citizen, has been fast-tracked from 2015 to 2012. This addition will be of great benfit to Prince George, providing six extra beds for oncology patients as well as as an extension of pathology, laboratory and diagnostic services and office space for cancer care.

The Northern Health Authority has already received four proposals in response to their requests-for-qualifications to design, build, finance and maintain the clinic. The next step is to establish a project team with representatives of several organizations.

The project is set to begin late next year.

(Excerpted from..

Bernice Trick,

Citizen Staff)

A key piece of the Prince George Airport runway extension is under construction.

The installation of their new Instrument Landing System was a major part of the step-by-step plan to upgrade YXS into an international airport capable of handling virtually any commercial passenger or cargo aircraft.

"The ILS is a ground-based instrument approach system, which provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching a runway, using a combination of radio signals and high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during (challenging meteorological) conditions such as low ceilings or reduced visibility due to fog, rain, or blowing snow," said Stieg Hoeg, general manager of the airport. "This is a critical step in the runway construction project that will lead to an increase in international air traffic."

Airport officials worked closely with NAV Canada, the national airport regulator, as well as partner airlines and other stakeholders to bring about this upgrade. Funding was provided by the provincial government, the federal government and the Northern Development Initiative Trust.

The work is expected to be finished sometime in the next 30 days. It is part of a suite of improvements that also includes extending one runway to 11,400 feet, centre line lighting on the runway, and a dedicated de-icing pad for wide body aircraft.

"(The upgrades) will allow the Prince George Airport Authority to market the airport as a transpacific techstop alternative to international air carriers," Hoeg said. "This will also enable carriers to consider Prince George for international passenger services. The runway will be open in fall of 2008."

After a four-month competition between 66 municipalities that was almost too close to call, the Honourable Richad Neufeld, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, announced the winners of BC Hydro's first ever Turn it Off Challenge at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in Vancouver .

The Turn it Off Challenge saw local governments earn points for creating awareness about energy use and reducing their electricity consumption during summer 2007.

Prince George, BC places 4th in the B. C. Hydro "Turn it Off" contest.

356 City residents signing up for the challenge. BC Hydro results showed that if 86 more residential account holders signed up in Prince George, the City would have won the $20,000.00 prize.

Our Mayor Colin Kinsley said that if the City won, the $20,000.00 award it would have contributed to the Ice Oval lighting upgrades. Too bad, maybee next time.

Well I did it. I completed the 10K run in this years's Prince GeorgeIceman with the Royal LePage team.

The weather was a little colder than the forecast predicted, it was a balmy -10, here in Prince George.

Seventy-seven solo racers and close to 600 team members did join the fun for Sunday's 21st annual Iceman, and this was my third year of completing the Iceman. We were surrounded by an enthusiastic crown , all kinds of great costumes, and an event Prince George, BC can be proud of.

The ultimate outdoor winter sport. Its an annual event here in Prince George. This year will be the 21st year.

For those new to Prince George, the Iceman is a team relay or solo event consisting of an 8 km ski at the Otway Nordic Ski Centre, followed by a 10km run into town. ( the 10 km run is what I will be running), a 5km skate at the new Outdoor Ice Oval, a 5km run in the Pinewood subdivision, and a 800 m swim at the Prince George Aquatic Centre.

As a Prince George Realtor I will be proud to be out in the community with some of my fellow Realtorsfrom my office participating in this great event. It even looks like the weather is going to co-operate, the forecast is for 1 above and sunshine on Sunday, perfect!!

We will be out there putting our best, ski, runner, or bathing-suit forward. The annual Iceman event starts at 10:00 am Sunday morning. Stay posted as I will have all the exciting Prince George Iceman events to share with you after the weekend.

Read more http://www.mag-net.com/iceman