By Chad Klassen

BCLC reaffirms commitment relocate within Kamloops

Mar 1, 2017 | 12:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The B.C. Lottery Corporation say it’s committed to keeping its headquarters in Kamloops, but it will be on the move in the near future.

Director of Corporate Services Ted Ockenden spoke at the KCBIA annual general meeting on Tuesday night and says BCLC has hired a real estate advisor, which will help the corporation find a new location this year. 

“The building is 51 years old, and as part of the expiration, we’ve had a number of different evaluations in 2009 and 2010, and then again recently,” said Ockenden to CFJC Today. “To look at its capacity and what work has to be done for it in the future.”

“It’s our belief, to be better serve both the needs of the community, our customers, and our ability to deliver the product efficiently, we have to look at a new building.”

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The building has been there since the 1960’s when the Woodward’s Department store occupied the grounds. Ockenden says BCLC is still in the information gathering stages and doesn’t know if the lottery corporation will remain downtown or move elsewhere in Kamloops.

“When the real estate advisor was first brought in, it was a slightly different market,” he said. “But they were looking about the availability of other lots, sizeable enough but also would have the presence and access required.”

BCLC says it would ideally like to stay downtown, but it all depends on the building fitting its needs. 

“We’re proud of the contribution we’ve had in Kamloops over the 30 years, and that’s been a downtown contribution, so if we can make that continued existence work [downtown], we will.”