Location of the proposed shelter along Glenfair Drive in Kamloops. (Image Credit: BC Housing)

By Victor Kaisar

Glenfair Redevelopment

Kamloops resident launches petition seeking to prevent new shelter on Glenfair Drive

Jul 6, 2025 | 2:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — A Kamloops resident has launched an online petition with the goal of trying to stop a new 40-bed shelter from being built on Glenfair Drive, adjacent to the Peterson Creek Nature Park.

The petition by Krystal Jeffrey states that the proposed location at 1055 Glenfair Drive is not appropriate for the shelter. It is calling for the project to “be halted immediately, and an alternative location selected.”

“The proposed shelter location lies directly along the public access route to Peterson Creek Park and is in immediate proximity to a cherished natural riparian area,” the petition read.

“This location poses significant risks to vulnerable populations – including seniors, children, and a riparian ecosystem – particularly as these stakeholders are unable to advocate for themselves.”

The petition is also calling for the BC Legislature to pass a Bill that would prevent BC Housing and the City of Kamloops from building any form of shelter at 1055 Glenfair Drive.

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While BC Housing hasn’t released many details, it has said the year-round shelter will be operated by The Mustard Seed and geared mainly towards seniors and older adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

It also said previously that construction on the shelter is expected to begin this year, though a date hasn’t been publicly announced yet.

“I am starting a petition to ensure that nature, the seniors and the children who use the park have a voice,” Jeffrey said on social media. “None of the parties involved have responded to our concerns or explained their plans for harm reduction.”

“Our beloved Peterson Creek Park is at risk of being turned into a version of the West Victoria corridor,” Jeffrey added.

She also said Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar has agreed to present the petition in the BC Legislature. Milobar told CFJC Today that his office has been in contact with Jeffrey, and that the earliest he’ll be able to present the petition is October when the Legislature resumes sitting.

Unlike petitions to the House of Commons, petitions in B.C. require a minimum of one signature. While there is also a 45-day deadline for the Federal Government to respond to petitions, there is no similar requirement of the Provincial Government.

As of publishing, the petition had 364 signatories and a goal of 3,000.

Glenfair Project Update

The proposed shelter is one of three projects slated to rise along Glenfair Drive, not far from Royal Inland Hospital.

BC Housing is proposing to replace the existing 80 affordable seniors’ homes at 1100 Glenfair Drive with four, six-storey buildings totalling at least 340 housing units. Eighty of those units will be rent-geared-to-income affordable homes for seniors, while the other 240 will be affordable rental housing.

“This is an opportunity to modernize Glenfair Senior’s Housing and to create additional, much-needed low to middle income housing for Kamloops,” BC Housing said. “As with any redevelopment of this scale, considerable tenant engagement, planning and design work has, and continues to take place before construction can begin.”

A render of the proposed buildings at 1100 Glenfair Drive. (Image Credit: BC Housing)

Jeffrey agreed, saying the Glenfair Seniors Residences are “long overdue for renovation and redevelopment.” She also said the existing buildings have “long been a peaceful and wholesome place for some of our most vulnerable residents.”

She also alleged that the shelter was quietly added to the overall redevelopment project – which has been in the works since 2021 – and that BC Housing wants to fast track the shelter project.

While its true that the shelter will be among the first projects completed, it was announced in June last year by Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon as part of a massive redevelopment of the so-called Columbia Precinct Lands.

In March this year, BC Housing and the City of Kamloops announced plans for a new three-storey, 20-unit complex care facility. Construction is expected to begin next year with occupancy by 2027 or 2028.

It will be meant for people with complex health issues, including mental health and substance use challenges, though BC Housing said they’ll be required to pay rent, sign program agreements and develop personal care plans.

The complex care facility will replace one of the existing seniors buildings – Building H – currently on site.

Site map of the Glenfair site in Kamloops. (Image Credit: BC Housing)

The other eight buildings on Glenfair Drive are slated to make way for the rest of the redevelopment. At an open house on May 22, BC Housing said construction will take place in phases to “minimize tenant relocations and disruption.”

“No one will be without a home because of the development process,” BC Housing said, noting its working with the operator – Interior Community Services – to find alternate housing for the 21 tenants in Phase 1 of the project.

The first building is expected to be complete between 2029 and 2031, and all existing tenants “will be given the first opportunity to move into new homes.” Work on Phases 2, 3, and 4 will follow the first phase of the project, BC Housing said.

An overview of the proposed projects in the Columbia Precinct area of Kamloops. (Image Credit: BC Housing)