Kamloops council goes halfway on $200K Memorial Cup temporary platform request

However, as more detailed facility discussions took place, it was identified as a requirement for private suite spaces and a broadcast platform for TSN.

“The report cites that these are requirements of these agencies like TSN,” McCorkell told council. “Quite frankly, they’re requirements of an event. There’s no specific request here, it’s just that we need to be able to facilitate these folks to be able to put on the event at the level it needs to be put on.”

The Memorial Cup will be hosted at Sandman Centre from May 25 to June 4.

Councillor Mike O’Reilly proposed the 50 per cent contribution, with funding coming from the City of Kamloops Gaming Reserve. He was one of several councillors who expressed dissatisfaction that the request came to council less than two months before the event is set to begin.

“To me, it feels like this is coming last minute,” said O’Reilly. “I think it’s tough to justify.”

“I also have to be respectful of our citizens when they say, ‘It’s going to be up for 10 days. We spent $200,000 but not one of these things is going to benefit any of the residents here. It’s for the executives, it’s for the hockey officials,'” added Councillor Bill Sarai. “I think that should be on the CHL.”

by James Peters

Kamloops council goes halfway on $200K Memorial Cup temporary platform request

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