File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Growing Communities Fund

Kamloops council to hear options for city’s share of $1B provincial bonanza

Apr 10, 2023 | 2:10 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops council will be given a range of options Tuesday (April 10) for an unexpected provincial windfall announced last month.

On March 3, Premier David Eby announced the one-time, $1 billion Growing Communities Fund to be split between B.C.’s 188 municipalities. The funds must be used on infrastructure projects to support anticipated growth. Kamloops will receive about $15.7 million.

In a report to be delivered to council’s Committee of the Whole, City of Kamloops staff identify three potential strategies for the cash: paying for already-approved projects that would otherwise be financed through debt, funding a variety of new projects, or setting the money aside for the future.

If council chooses the first option, it could fund the $9-million Tranquille Phase III and the $2.7-million Pacific Way Highway Off-Ramp projects, thus increasing the city’s debt ceiling for other projects.

If council chooses the second option, it could contribute to projects like a park at Orchards Walk in Valleyview, a pedestrian overpass over Summit Drive or an outdoor skating rink at Riverside Park.

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City staff note the province has not specified a time frame within which municipalities are required to spend their shares of the $1 billion.