Wood Innovation Square opens downtown

The new Wood Innovation Square is now open in downtown Prince George.

Located on Fifth Avenue, adjacent to both the Wood Innovation and Design Centre and the Wood Innovation Research Laboratory, it covers four city lots and features picnic tables, seating, and paths, along with trees, flowers, and shrubs. The area has been designed for social interaction and events. There is a small stage, lighting and hook-ups to water and electricity for food trucks, entertainment, or other vendors.

It can be booked for events at www.princegeorge.ca/bookings.

Mayor Lyn Hall called the park a “terrific complement to the WIDC and the award-winning Wood Innovation Research Lab.”

“Council is excited to see the continued development of downtown Prince George and this new park provides a dynamic, safe, and inviting urban space,” Hall said.

The project came with a $1.4 million price tag. Of that, the provincial government contributed $750,000 and the city $650,000.

Construction began last summer and was led by Viking Construction of Prince George. It’s estimated that 20 local jobs were created as a result of the project.

“The new Wood Innovation Square will bring families, tourists and local residents together, support local arts and culture, and spur local economic development for years to come,” said Jinny Sims, B.C. Minister of Citizens’ Services.

Prince George has nearly 120 parks covering close to 12 square kilometres – nearly three times the area of Vancouver’s Stanley Park.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN Flowers are blooming in the new Wood Innovation Square now open in downtown Prince George. It’s the first new park space downtown since the creation of Canada Games Plaza, which was originally built to accompany the opening of the Civic Centre in 1994.