Left to Right: Wenda Noonan, Councillor Kelly Hall, Patrick Harrington, Ellen McCurrach, Bill Sarai and Sarah Candido. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

By Victor Kaisar

Build Kamloops Donation

Kamloops announces first donation toward ambitious Build Kamloops initiative

Jun 5, 2025 | 1:09 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops has announced the first donation toward the Build Kamloops initiative, calling it a “major milestone” for the program.

It said the BC Interior Community Foundation (BCICF), on behalf of the Sandy and Ellen McCurrach Family Fund, has donated $10,000 towards the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, which is set to rise at Fourth Avenue and St. Paul Street downtown.

“My husband Sandy and I came to Kamloops over 60 years ago [and] Kamloops has been good to us,” Ellen McCurrach said in a City of Kamloops news release. “We raised three children here and two still live here because this is where they want to be.”

“And so, I’m paying it back; I’m just delighted to. I’m a big believer in the arts.”

Kamloops councillors Kelly Hall and Bill Sarai were on hand for a cheque presentation ceremony at the Purity Feed Garden Centre, alongside Sarah Candido, the city’s external relations manager. They were joined by BCICF Executive Director Wenda Noonan and Board Member Patrick Harrington.

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“On behalf of Kamloops city council, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the BC Interior Community Foundation and the Sandy and Ellen McCurrach Family Fund for their generous $10,000 donation in support of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts,” said Hall, who is chair of the Build Kamloops Select Committee.

“This meaningful contribution brings us one step closer to realizing our vision through the Build Kamloops program. We are incredibly excited to see momentum growing as we begin work on this transformational project that will enrich the cultural landscape of our city for generations to come.”

The long-proposed Kamloops Centre for the Arts — which was identified as the top priority in the city’s Recreation Master Plan — is the first in a series of Build Kamloops projects. The city says that project is first in line largely due to the “generous contribution” of time and money as well as the passion of Ron and Rae Fawcett of the Kelson Group.

Kamloops councillors have approved the borrowing of up to $140 million to construct a performing arts centre downtown and up to $135 million for a four-sheet arena multiplex in Dufferin as well as future Build Kamloops initiatives.

The city has said it expects that Build Kamloops projects will be paid through debt as well as various government grants along with corporate and private donations.