Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

HERITAGE BC

Kamloops heritage spaces get cash infusion from province

Feb 25, 2021 | 4:48 PM

KAMLOOPS — On Monday, the Kamloops Heritage Railway (KHR), found out that it was one of 68 recipients of Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) funds that the province allocated for Unique Heritage Infrastructure. Through Heritage BC, the society will receive $80,000.

“This grant will allow us to move forward with the projects that we wanted to do, but just didn’t have the money to do,” KHR Executive Director Cory Clark tells CFJC Today. “If we didn’t get this grant, this project would be at least two years down the road.

The KHR has plans to use those funds to expand the services they offer. The society is in the process of renovating one of its old railcars to create an educational space. They also plan to relocate the entrance to their back shop area, in order to expand the Kamloops Heritage Railway experience.

“Having this railcar and building the kiosk will allow us to hold tours, it’ll allow us to host special interest groups. It will allow us to expand what we can offer to the public,” Clark says. “It makes for a fuller experience.”

Question of the Week

Do you think a minority government could be a positive for British Columbia?

2h ago

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of Oct. 14

Oct 20, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: The mind doesn't always listen

Oct 20, 2024

KHR isn’t the only recipient of money from the province and Heritage BC. The City of Kamloops was awarded nearly $500,000 for renovations to the Old Courthouse on the corner of First Avenue and Seymour Street.

“We’ve looked at a number of aspects of the building and property itself,” Barbara Berger, Manager of Recreation, Social Development and Culture for the City explains. “You earmark them for restoration, should the funds become available.”

Along with restoring the slate roof, the City plans to do some work on the original granite stonework around the perimeter of the property. This will help restore some of the grandeur to the 114-year-old property.

“It’s such an important cultural asset, I think, to the citizens of Kamloops,” Berger says. “Being able to restore that exterior component will bring a lot of pride with it.”

Work on the courthouse is expected to begin this spring, while the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society hopes to have the kiosk and railcar complete by September, 2021.