A20 THE FREE PRESS ' D6WNT0WW OCTOBER 3,1999 prmc> mJLm HmT Increase in spaces to alleviate parking pressure The Downtown Parking Commission will turn the former emergency homeless shelter and Gospel Mission site on 4th Avenue into a parking lot. The city-run commission purchased 1141 and 1153 4th Avenue on September 1 for $250,000 as part of a plan to alleviate parking problems created downtown by the new courthouse and casino, says DPC manager Jim Langridge. “Some of the businesses on George Street have closed because of parking problems in that area. We bought this property to help (alleviate) the problems,” he says. Four lots, about 30 feet each, comprise the property. The commission plans to construct a surface lot there with 60 hourly and monthly There will soon be more than just street parking at this location, as it makes way for a surface parking lot with 60 spots. John McKenzie/Free Press park in the lot as soon as this winter, although construction on the lot isn’t expected until the spring. Murry Krause, a city councillor and an emergency homeless shelter organizer, said the purchase would have no impact on the shelter. He notes that the 4th Avenue location did not house the shelter last year. This year he says the committee is looking at other options once again. “We have a plan in the works and as soon as funding is in place we will let everyone know what is happening,” he says. The location of the park- ing lot to-be has a colourful history. In the fall of 1997 the financially troubled Prince George Gospel Mission closed its doors there with a debt of $162,000, including $130,000 of unpaid bills for a 1996 renovation on the building. In January of 1998 the Prince George Emergency Shelter opened its doors at the 4th Avenue location. It too was steeped in controversy - neighbouring business owners complained about the shelter location and its “no rules” policy that allowed intoxicated clients to come and go as they pleased. parking spots. The building that is cur- rently on the property will be demolished within a month and Prince George residents may be able to Thank you from the ’9fl Summerfest Committee Jane Shaak, Ted Coole, Hilary Leighton, Judy Dix, Dale Acott, Jack Ross, Darcy Kinder, Stuart Antonenko, Aileen Snow, Kathleen Hart, Carol Esford, Ken Thompson, Bev Alder, Patricia Johansen, John Barager, Jon Powney, Henry Bucher, Richard Skinner A Summerfest THANK YOU to the following for their support of Summerfest 99 550 CKPG, PGTV, 101.3 Hits FM, City of Prince George CIJPE 399 City Outside Workers, The Citizen The Prince George Free Press, PG Tourism Town Centre Business Association, Sight & Sound Prince George Hotel, Jack Ross, Auctioneer Prince George Art Gallery Fraser Ft. George Regional Museum Javva Mugga Mocha, Mardi Gras Society BC Hydro, Coca Cola Bottling Full Colour Screen Printing & Embroidery Full Spectrum Industries, Magic Moments Balloons Fire Hall, RCMP - Community Policing Access Centre St. John’s Ambulance. Downtown Parking Commission Safeway. 4th Avenue Blues Northern Society of Musicians & Artists (NSMA) Canadian Springs. B&B Music Overwaitea, UNBC Day Care Society Shopper’s Drug Mart, Tim Hortons Canadian Northern Children’s Festival, Child Find BC 1999 Summerfest Volunteers Randy Mcxirc, Kim Shepiak, Lisa Leisner, Heather Kingdon. Lance McFaddcn, Dana Rynsewyn, Crystal Pighan, Dale Marquette, Perry Bakaia, Dave Leduc. Brandy Cross, Jean Cameron. April Ismay, Sue Moscrip, Christina Moscrip, Amherlc Martin, Moira McLaughlin. Kimberley Shaak. Sara Shaak, Robert Mior, Josh Shaak-Miller, Patrick Field, Dylan Hartford, Les Miller, Shirley Byman, John Barager, Elaine Hooper. Barb Kieth, Jamie Kerr, Carla Parsons, Stacy Moore, Brandi Liesner, Pierre Villenure, Jared Doyle Summer’s 1st Annual Fun Run: Debbie Byl. Ken Thompson. Erica Thompson, Shawn Loftus. Ben Schmidt, Art in Action: Stuart & Jody Antonenko Summerfest Benefit Auction: Jace Ross. Auctioneer, Bob McDonald, Cathy Hobson Musicians & Performers: Afro-Caribbean Connection, Don Hayley, Daryl Doyle & Karl Standevcn, Rutabaga Chilluns, Gospel Hillbillies, Djemhe’, Out of Alba, The Many Faces of Sleeping Ugly, Jennifer Landry, Agus Aris, James Giles, Tony White & The Heavyweights, The Northmen Prince George Art dallery Volunteers: Stephanie Wilson, Simone Maxwell, Linda Mummery, Andrew Gables, Eva Carr, Pinky Bining, Hillary Pullan, Erin McGuire, Heather Campbell, Cindy Rebman. Katherine Walraven, Sandra O'Neill, Tess Hyatt, Amy Rodall, Emily Warden, Stephanie Green, Kathleen Hart, Jay Hart, Carolyn Howarth. Bill Holmes 16th College Hts Cubs & Scouts: Leaders - Peter Zell, Leo Jean, Andrew Zell, Kenny Armstrong, Joel Fowler, Jamie Kirk, Alex Kirk, Sean McKay, Josh Shaak-Miller, Graham Zell, Stewart Lambert. Jason Roberts, Nathen Warren, Jonathan Warren, Jeremy Jean Honourable mentions to: CUPE 399, City Outside Workers, in particular Jon Powney. Dave Kidd & Peter Stan And a very special thank you to all the mascots, participants and performers in the "Kids at Heart Parade!” This walking parade has had for a sixth year, the “Legion Branch 43, Pipes & Drums Band" skillfully guide the parade from First Avenue toCitv Hall. H N k S G I N t NEW LOCATION! 123? (old LJItrasport location) 4th AVC. NEW HOURS: 9:30 am - 5:30pm Monday to Saturday "THcucHiaxti. FITNESS STORES * FITNESS EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS • HOME • OFFICE • CORPORATE Phone: 562-6082 • 1257-4th Avenue J0PENING iday. Oct. 8\ 1999 We will be moving | to a larger location at ^45 George St. !{1 (Right next door | to our old jL location) Iff t /'OKEsr 345 Goorgo fit. Princa Goorgo. BC (250) 562-0909