‘I got a little excited’; Curling committee walks back Build Kamloops claims made in newsletter

Five facilities are being explored as part of the Build Kamloops program, one of which is a curling and racquet sports facility, and the Future of Curling Committee is contributing ideas.

The newsletter notes the new curling facility will be integrated with dry-floor sports, a fitness centre, commercial/retail areas and a large residential development.

The facility will be part of Phase 1 of the Build Kamloops initiative and create opportunity for partnership with a private developer, according to the newsletter.

Later on Saturday, the Future of Curling Committee walked back the claims in a separate email.

“We are in line to amalgamate to a new club and the City of Kamloops is supportive of a modernized facility, however the where, when and how described in our communication is conceptual and not yet approved or sanctioned by the city,” reads part of the second email.

“Accept our apologies for our exuberance.”

Both emails are included below in their entirety.

Kamloops councillor Mike O’Reilly — chair of the Build Kamloops select committee – said no decisions on the curling facility have been made and the Build Kamloops priority is the performing arts centre and ice multiplex.

He was asked if the city has purchased two properties to the east of Memorial Arena and owns all lands from KCC to the Victoria and Lansdowne junction.

“There was a lot of non-factual information and lots of concepts and ideas that were spoken about [in the Future of Curling Committee newsletter],” O’Reilly said. “As a matter of the way the city does business, we do not discuss land transactions and that’s for the protection of the taxpayer of Kamloops.”

O’Reilly was asked about the curling and racquet sports facility being part of Phase 1 of the Build Kamloops initiative and the potential for private partnership.

“Absolutely none of that has been decided,” O’Reilly said, noting council is excited about the future of curling in the city. “The concept group and the curling club are working together exactly as intended, throwing out ideas and talking about pie-in-the-sky things and things they would love to see and we would love to see. Ultimately, we have to figure out how and what can be accommodated.”

The alternate approval process – or reverse petition – is being used to seek borrowing approval for the Build Kamloops initiative.

“There have been absolutely no decisions made at this point and the priority is the multiplex of ice and the performing arts centre,” O’Reilly said.

While borrowing has not been approved and Build Kamloops plans are in the concept phase, Ihlen said the ideas for a multiplex outlined in the original newsletter on Saturday are ideal from a Future of Curling Committee perspective.

“The design that we’ve put forward is world class and if done will become the envy of Canada as far as curling goes,” Ihlen said.

“We’re excited about getting going, but we got a little bit ahead of ourselves on some of the information we put out.”

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FUTURE OF CURLING NEWSLETTER ON SATURDAY

Hello Kamloops Curlers,

Hello everyone, the Future of Curling Committee has had a very busy summer and is happy to share this update. Things are moving along quickly and a new club is all but assured in the coming years.

You will have heard by now that the City is proceeding with an Alternate Approval Process (AAP) as it’s preferred funding method for the Build Kamloops Plan.

Successful completion of this process will allow for the expedited borrowing of funds and a rapid start on implementation. Funding could be in place as early as this September and the detailed design of our new Club is part of Phase 1.

It is very exciting to report that the City has agreed to include all design elements proposed by our committee.

The new curling facility will be integrated with dry floor sports, a fitness centre, commercial/retail areas and a large residential development. Although the design elements are intact, there is very significant news regarding the build site.

The City has just completed the purchase of 2 properties to the east of Memorial Arena and now own all lands from KCC to the Victoria Street and Lansdowne junction.

We believe this is excellent news!

The new Multiplex facility will now be designed for the area east of Peterson Creek, allowing Kamloops Curling Club to remain in operation during construction. This will mean a far less disruptive transition for curlers than we originally communicated.

The new City properties and the future redevelopment of the Kamloops Curling Club site also create a larger opportunity for a private developer and should help reduce net costs to the City.

With the inclusion of a private developer, the Club is intended to be built as a Private, Public Partnership (P3). This will have an effect on delivery increasing hopes we may be in our club sooner then projected. However, the market will become the primaryinfluencer.

This is an exciting time for Kamloops. The Club we will all enjoy, once completed, will be the envy of Canada and the World in its design and function.

Please direct your questions to BuildKamloopsCurling2024@yahoo.com. We will gather and respond to all questions through our Club Member Newsletters.

We will need the help of all Members to make the new Club happen.

First we need you to keep Curling, every thing remains status quo for the coming year, register and enjoy.

Secondly, we need you to support the City proposal of an AAP for funding. This can be done easily by simply not objecting to the proposal.

Thirdly we need your participation in the Clubs with ideas, volunteering and support as we prepare to move Curling to the forefront of Sport in Kamloops, BC and Canada.

With your support and energy, we can make Curling affordable, fun and accessible to everyone!

Reach out today to find out how you can be part of this very exciting time for our Clubs.

Thank you all for being a part of Curling in Kamloops from the Future of Curling Committee and your Board of Directors.

Let’s make this happen!

FOLLOW-UP EMAIL FROM FUTURE OF CURLING LATER SATURDAY

The Future of Curling Committee recently sent out a communication regarding our new facility.

In our excitement to share with you, we communicated concepts as reality and we need to step back on our excitement.

We are in line to amalgamate to a new club and the City of Kamloops is supportive of a modernized facility, however the where, when and how described in our communication is conceptual and not yet approved or sanctioned by the city.

We want you all to be excited about the future of curling in Kamloops and our intent was to create that excitement, but our communication was inaccurate.

Please understand the future is bright and the support of the Build Kamloops plan is important in order to build the Kamloops we want to see.

Accept our apologies for our exuberance,

Future of Curling Committee

by Marty Hastings

‘I got a little excited’; Curling committee walks back Build Kamloops claims made in newsletter

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