Mr. PG of Prince George (Image Credit: CKPG Today)

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Is an ‘iconic structure’ what Kamloops needs?

Feb 9, 2024 | 6:00 AM

THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION posed in the headline is a resounding “NO.” It’s not everyone’s opinion but mine, it certainly is.

Tourism Kamloops wants to study the idea of building an “iconic structure” in or around the city. The tourist association seems to believe that such a structure would solidify our position as a destination of some sort. They talk about increasing the number of people visiting us each year to see the ‘structure.’ And it may turn out that way. But an awful lot of these structures just fall into disrepair. The largest cowboy hat in Seattle is 19 feet high and 44 feet wide. If you were passing by, you might fill up your car’s or your family’s tanks, and it maybe could be considered iconic in that it is a symbol of the Western heritage — along with the world’s largest teepee near Medicine Hat. But would I go out of my planned route to see it? Probably not.

I would stop at the Royal Tyrrell Museum at Drumheller or the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. Or the train display at Three Valley Gap. But I don’t have much desire to see the world’s largest coffee cup — unless there is something really neat to go along with it.

In Kamloops, we have lots of neat attractions. Why can’t we enhance some of our existing attractions? The Kamloopa Powwow Grounds are one of the best attractions we have. Why can’t we work with Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and build it up as a museum and cultural destination? A grand structure that would truly be a showcase for inclusion and reconciliation. Tied in with the residential school issues, this could be an expensive but worthwhile way to spend money.

While they are not structures, the vast number of lakes within minutes of the city is an icon of sorts, and while we’ve promoted us as the fly-fishing capital, we can do a lot more. We have two large lakes — and the Shuswap is already a stellar attraction. With all the fire damage last year, maybe we can add in some new attractions to catch the tourist’s eye. We have a tremendous facility at TCC that could be promoted more. And maybe we’ll have a new facility on the North Shore. All of our great sports facilities like those at Mac Island and the Tournament Capital Ranch at Rayleigh. And possibly a new first-class curling club, and — God forbid — a new performing arts centre.

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These are the things that will attract people and solidify our status and support our claim as a sports, cultural and leisure leader in Kamloops. These projects will cost lots, but if started now, we would be able to avoid our past disasters and get something much cheaper than if we waited another 10 years.

If Tourism Kamloops wants to put up an” iconic structure” and raise money on their own for it, fine, but I want to see something that makes me want to come back more than once. I think that my family would likely say, “Hey Mom and Dad, can we go out to see the B.C. Wildlife Park again?” or, “Let’s go and spend some time at the Kamloopa Powwow and see that great museum that talks about the history of the Indigenous peoples and the explorers who came and opened up the land for white settlers and how that impacted our history.” What about a trip to the Hat Creek Ranch areas to see all the neat things there? Or a trip to Sun Peaks, magnificent in both winter and summer? Or the donkey rescue facility near Chase? Or just wandering through the parks and the Rivers Trail, or taking a walk through the beautiful campus at TRU?

We have more attractions than most communities do. We don’t need a suspension bridge unless it’s across Peterson Creek or a gondola up to the top of Mount Paul or the world’s largest can of pork and beans, or whatever. We have plenty to work with right now. We just have to tweak these items and do a whole lot more marketing to be front and centre.

As they say, “It’s not rocket science.”

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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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.