Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

KAMLOOPS CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

Build Kamloops Celebration of the Arts showcases big plans for downtown lot

Jul 30, 2024 | 2:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — Despite slightly uncooperative weather on Monday (July 29) evening, more than 700 citizens attended the Build Kamloops Celebration of the Arts.

If Build Kamloops goes according to plan, the celebration site will one day be home to the city’s new performing arts centre.

“We’re trying to give people a sense of what the arts centre is going to be and the kinds of things that could show up in it,” said Dušan Magdolen, cultural services and events manager for the city.

With yellow lines laid out overtop of the parking lot asphalt, the basic layout of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts was there for everyone who attended to see. Organizers also assembled a cast of characters to give out fun and informative tours of the site.

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“The Sagebrush Theatre is often booked up to a year and a half in advance,” tour guide Pam explained to her group. “When you get upset because you wanted that band to come that’s going to Vernon or Kelowna, unfortunately, we don’t have the space or the infrastructure for them.”

Once built, the facility will be home to events like graduation ceremonies, dance recitals and live comedy, as well as becoming a permanent home for the Kamloops Symphony and Western Canada Theatre. However, for many who hope to utilize the space, the process of design and construction is a fascinating part of the process.

“For me, I’m used to being on the stage or in the audience,” actor, writer, director and choreographer Tracey Power told CFJC Today. “To know what goes into building a facility that has everything we need is super exciting and so interesting. The fact that they’ve mapped it out like this on the ground is a cool way to do it.”

Three former mayors joined eight city council members on stage to show their support for the Build Kamloops plan.

“When we had the referendum almost a decade ago, now it was very close,” said Peter Milobar, former mayor and current MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson. “The public at the time was a little unsure. I think what we’ve seen over the last 10 years is a growing want and an understanding of just how critical a centre like this would be.”

It was a decidedly pro-arts crowd who gathered at the event on Monday night. However, Powers points out that the Build Kamloops plan – which includes both a performing arts centre and new sports facilities – will offer something for most Kamloops residents once it’s completed.

“I’m so biased that I can’t even try and totally understand,” Power says with a laugh.

“As a society, we need to use our imaginations, we need to be artistic and creative. And we also need to be sport champions, as well. It’s all part of being a community.”