A PAC Yes Vote Is A Vote For Memorable Experiences

Nov 6, 2015 | 9:21 AM

When I was 16 years old, I spent $55 on a ticket to see U2 at Winnipeg Stadium.

U2 was my favourite band at the time, and $55 was a lot to spend on a stadium show – far more than I had ever spent on a concert.

I wasn’t about to let my favourite band pass through without seeing it, so I knew having that experience was something I would need to pay for – maybe even overpay.

The older I get, the more interested I become in experiences. 

Given the choice at this point in my life, I don’t buy things and gadgets if I can spend the money on experiences. 

Concerts are experiences. 

Theatrical productions are experiences. 

The prospect that more of those could be put on in my hometown is exciting. 

The prospect that a venue could be used to nurture our own artists to provide special experiences for others is also exciting. 

We say ‘no’ very well in this city, and certainly there are a lot of Negative Nellies saying we shouldn’t spend money, or our city can’t yet support a facility of this size, or the taxpayer in burdened enough.

The fact is, there will never be a good time to ask more of the taxpayer.

It doesn’t matter if we are in prosperous times or so-called uncertain economic times.

Tomorrow is a real defining moment for Kamloops.

We get to put another stamp on what our city could be, just like we did when we approved the Tournament Capital facilities. 

No one could respectfully argue that those facilities don’t strengthen the fabric of our community. 

The performing arts centre will be another one.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars has already been spent on studying what will be best for this community, studies conducted by people more qualified than you and me.

We could say ‘no’ to their recommendation now, but the construction costs will never decrease. 

I’m willing to pay for experiences. 

That’s why I’ll be voting yes tomorrow, and I hope you do to.