(Image credit: City of Kamloops).

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Design for new building beside historic train station is out of place

Apr 27, 2023 | 5:04 AM

SOMETIMES I THINK there isn’t an architect in Kamloops with imagination, not a single developer with any historical sense of the city, not a civic politician who would be unhappy if every building in town was a square box made out of vinyl, a few bricks and Hardie plank.

I know, I’m a broken record when it comes to how we build in the Tournament Capital, but I just have to draw your attention to the lot immediately beside the historic CN Railway station.

A developer applied for a permit on the form and character of plans to erect a three-storey building — a restaurant plus residential units.

I want to quote at some length from a report of staff to City council:

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“… Many of the features, such as the third storey, building form, and window layout, are asymmetrical, which conflicts with the highly symmetrical design of the rest of the development and original Station.

“A previous development permit for the site… was undertaken in 2004 during initial development of Station Plaza and the surrounding properties. This design closely mirrored the Station by complementing its symmetrical form, two-storey height, and features such as a gabled roof with dormer windows…
“Staff wish to highlight to Council the departure from the precedent created throughout the development of Station Plaza and the surrounding context as the proposed development introduces modern, asymmetrical architecture themes into this context.”

That’s an extremely kind description. This new building will tower over the old train station and is totally out of keeping both with the station and the rest of the plaza.

But what did council say? A couple of comments about how wonderful it is something’s being built there, and a quick vote of approval.

Look, not every building has to look like a heritage building but is it asking too much to make developers respect the historical context of what’s nearby, especially something as important as the old train station?

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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