Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Victor Kaisar

New KSAR Plans

TNRD, City, KSAR to partner on new Kamloops search and rescue headquarters, fire hall in Rayleigh

Nov 22, 2024 | 12:27 PM

KAMLOOPS — Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) staff will be working with the City and with Kamloops Search and Rescue (KSAR) on plans for a new purpose-built search and rescue headquarters in Rayleigh.

KSAR President Paula Davies says this proposed facility – which is slated to rise on a city-owned property at 4420 Devick Road – will also replace the existing fire hall in Rayleigh, which is located next to the Tolko Mill.

“I think it is an advantage and KSAR and [Kamloops Fire and Rescue] are excited to partner together just for the obvious benefits,” Davies told CFJC Today. “Sharing a hall might mean shared training or some joint training and all the other benefits that go along with that.”

A preliminary design of the proposed Kamloops Search and Rescue headquarters in Rayleigh. (Image Credit: TNRD)

TNRD General Manager of Operations, Jamie Vieira says more work is needed, as the work done to this point was focused on a new search and rescue headquarters without the new fire hall.

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“There have been a few meetings and preliminary discussions with staff – TNRD, KFR, and KSAR – on this topic, and all involved feel like there is some great opportunities moving forward, both in cost savings and operational efficiencies, but those discussions are still in early stages,” Vieira said.

He also told the TNRD board that while his report said that the City “has offered to provide the land at no cost,” that process hasn’t yet been discussed by Kamloops City Council.

“Any sale of donation by the city would be a decision of city council,” Vieira added, noting they were looking at land owned by both the City and the TNRD to see what would be the most suitable for a purpose-built SAR hall.

“I apologize that the language in the report is a bit misleading  in that that decision had been made when it hadn’t.”

At this time, it’s not clear what this new shared facility will cost or when construction might begin. The previous cost estimate for the new KSAR headquarters came in at $5.7 million.

In his report, Vieira said that funding options for the facility may include grants, long-term borrowing, as well as contributions by KSAR and the City of Kamloops.

“The general concept would be to share meeting, training, and office space in the center of the building, with each agency having their own devoted bays on either side of the building for vehicle and equipment storage,” the report added. “It is recommended that this concept be further investigated as there is likely capital costs savings and operational efficiencies in building and operating a shared facility.”

“The resulting information will be brought back to the TNRD Board for direction regarding a funding strategy if this concept is deemed viable.”

Davies also confirmed to CFJC Today that the City of Kamloops will allow KSAR to stay in its current Mission Flats location until its new headquarters is ready. KSAR was previously required to vacate its location at the end of January 2025.

“The city has been pretty gracious in offering us an extension as long we are working towards a solution in moving out of that building in Mission Flats,” Davies said.

Davies also said that KSAR will work to raise $1-million towards this project, in addition to the $250,000 it has already committed.

“We’re very excited,” Davies said. “We hope everything moves forward and we also hope that we have support from the community for this project and for our fundraising venture. I think it’ll be a really great for the KSAR team.”