Rendition of a $70-million proposed arts centre put forward by the Fawcett family in January (Image Credit: CHP Architects)

By Chad Klassen

PROPOSED ARTS CENTRE

Local arts groups coming together to build support for proposed performing arts centre

Jun 11, 2019 | 5:23 PM

KAMLOOPS — From the time Ron and Rae Fawcett put forward a new performing arts centre proposal, the wheels have been put in motion to move the project ahead.

Since the announcement of a 103,000 square feet facility in front of city council, an effort has been made to put together a non-profit society to help better organize the ‘yes’ side.

“I think the formation of a non-profit society to advance the arts centre concept in this community is really essential,” said managing director of Western Canada Theatre Evan Klassen, who will be part of the society, sharing responsibilities with WCT executive director James MacDonald. “It’s indicative of the broad support that this project has come from all kinds of sections in this community, not just arts sector.”

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First and foremost, the committee will be creating the business case for the $70 million proposal, which is $20 million less than the 2015 proposal that failed. It will also be leading the community consultations.

“Opportunities for people to discuss the project and the proposals as it goes forward,” noted Klassen. “We’ll be advancing communication. So a lot of outward-focused messages to make sure people are aware of the project and what it means and how it’s going to come together.”

Outgoing executive director with the Kamloops Symphony Kathy Humphreys, who leaves her post at the end of June, will be part of the society. Unlike 2015, Humphreys says the group is going to encourage supporters to get actively involved in the process.

“From all different aspects of the community, from parents of young children to professionals to the music groups that might use the facility,” said Humphreys.

The proposal in 2015, a $90 million project that asked residents whether the city should borrow $49 million, was rejected with nearly 54 per cent of citizens voting against. Humphreys, however, feels Kamloops has changed since then.

“Even though it’s not even been four years yet since the referendum, I think Kamloops is a different place than it was,” she said. “The community is growing. It’s really vibrant right now and new people are coming to town. I think the whole outlook feels so much different.”

The society will consist of a representative from the Kamloops Symphony, Western Canada Theatre and the Kamloops Art Gallery. There will be a City of Kamloops representative as well, and more than a dozen other board members to round out the society.

If the proposed arts centre is approved, the society will begin to fundraise. The Fawcett family has committed $10 million to the project, but the society says it’s too early to know how many taxpayer dollars will be required to build it.