SOUND OFF: Kamloops transforms when we invest in a vision

In 2003, Kamloops voted in favour of borrowing $37.6 million to fund the Tournament Capital program.

When the 2003 referendum was presented to Kamloops residents, it was to borrow money to pay for the Tournament Capital Program. At the time there were no provincial or federal grants committed, and no corporate donations were on the table. The $37.6 million borrowed was not earmarked for any specific building but to fund a 5-year plan and vision, not just for what Kamloops residents needed at the time, but for decades to come.

I don’t think anyone in Kamloops can imagine our city without the projects of previous referendums.

When the referendum in 2003 was approved, it spanned over many years and two different city councils. I still remember Mel Rothenburger, the mayor at the time, driving a Zamboni through the parking lot at McArthur Island to open the new sheet of Olympic ice and then followed years later by the next mayor, Terry Lake, cutting the ribbon to open the Tournament Capital Centre.

As is the case with many visions, they outlast any politician who was involved in the decision making at the time.

Fast forward 20 years. We have not invested in a new vision for our community. The Recreation Master Plan was developed over two years with 56 recreational user groups, 50 community groups, and 1,716 individual residents’ responses. The engagement has been done and now it is time for action!

While the overall needs of Kamloops will change over the next 10 years and beyond, what will not change is the desperate need for a Performing Arts Centre, the need to build two new sheets of ice so that 5-year-old children are not being driven to Logan Lake or Chase for a hockey practice, or the need to build the first new pool in Kamloops in over 30 years so children can take life saving swimming lessons. While once a national leader in recreation facilities, Kamloops is quickly falling behind.

My hope is that the next city council will be able to complete a funding study to fund the Recreation Master Plan. The fundraising study will take a closer look at provincial and federal grants that may be available, as well as the potential corporate donations that could be realized. Only then should we bring forward a referendum to our residents.

While the question on a referendum ballot will ask to borrow a sum of money for a plan, I truly believe it will be asking the people of Kamloops to vote on filling the needs of our residents today and a vision for the future.

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Editor’s Note: Mike O’Reilly is a Kamloops councillor and is running for re-election on Oct. 15. Typically, CFJC Today does not allow campaigning in our opinion pieces. However, in this case we feel it is fair to allow O’Reilly to respond to a column in which he is directly named.

This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by Mike O'Reilly

SOUND OFF: Kamloops transforms when we invest in a vision

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