As the city of Prince George continues to grow and develop, the idea of recognizing outstanding residents for their contributions to the community has been gaining momentum. After all, as one committee member noted, “we want to acknowledge the good work done by our residents as our highest honour.” The freedom of the city, the highest honour bestowed by the Prince George city council, is rarely given, and the Select Committee on Citizen Recognition Program has been working tirelessly to establish a process for recognizing recipients.

1. One possible way to recognize recipients is by dedicating trees planted by city staff to them.
2. The city plants dozens of large caliper trees each year in locations identified to maximize the benefits associated with increasing tree canopy coverage and adding to the aesthetics of the urban forest.
3. The cost of planting one of these trees is around $2,500.

In a meeting on May 16, committee members discussed various options for recognizing recipients, including dedicating trees, installing plaques, and creating a park or public space for commemorations. Coun. Kyle Sampson suggested that a plaque commemorating the deceased founder of his workplace, Pacific Western Brewery, could be a model for this program. He noted that the brewery had to replace the plaque multiple times due to theft, but by placing a certificate with the tree’s coordinates inside the building, the issue was resolved. For example, the brewery created a certificate with the coordinates of the tree, which is now safely located inside the building, eliminating the need for frequent replacements.

Coun. Kyle Sampson also suggested that benches could be installed in recognition of recipients, with an estimated cost of around $2,500 and an installation window of between June and October. The parks department could provide input on this idea, and representatives could be invited to the committee’s next meeting to discuss options.

1. Other possible ways to recognize recipients include:
2. Engraving their names into bricks or paving stones
3. Installing plaques acknowledging them in a public space

Committee member Chantelle Grafton wondered if a park still in the development stage could be designated as the area for commemorations. Manager of event services Debbie Haywood also suggested that the Novak Family Legacy Wall, which was installed in the lobby of the Prince George Civic Centre lobby in 2014, could be moved to a new location, such as the atrium of the Kin Centres.

Staff also reported that possible partners for the award program could include the Exploration Place, the University of Northern British Columbia, and the city’s Heritage Committee. These organizations could help with the registration and administration of the program. In their next meeting, scheduled for June 26, the committee will continue to discuss options for recognizing recipients. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. in the second-floor conference room at Prince George City Hall.

“We want to acknowledge the good work done by our residents as our highest honour.”

The Select Committee on Citizen Recognition Program is working tirelessly to establish a process for recognizing recipients.

The committee’s goal is to create a program that will be meaningful and impactful for both the recipients and the community. With the right approach, this program can become a valuable asset for the city of Prince George.