File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By James Peters

St. Andrew's on the Square Fire

Kamloops council approves $300k to restore St. Andrew’s on the Square

Jul 30, 2025 | 6:45 AM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops will spend $300,000 to restore the historic St. Andrew’s on the Square after its devastating fire last May.

At council Tuesday (July 29), council was told the total price tag to restore the building damaged by fire, smoke and water is just over $1 million. About three-quarters of that total will be covered by insurance.

However, the contents of the building were not insured. While the pews and a heritage piano were salvaged, the city will need to pay to replace items like tables, chairs and audio equipment.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Councillor Bill Sarai pressed staff as to why the contents were not insured.

“My understanding with this one is that, in the transition from the (Kamloops) Heritage Society to the city, there wasn’t a perfect accounting of what contents were in there, so then it was underinsured for contents,” answered Cultural Services and Events Manager Dusan Magdolen.

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The city assumed operations of the facility from the heritage society in 2021.

The 138-year-old church building is popular with visitors and is frequently rented out for events such as weddings and other celebrations.

Restoration work after the May 2024 fire began this month. It is expected to wrap up by January.

In addition to replacing the lost contents, the expenditure will also pay for improved security and accessibility features. The $302,000 total will largely come from the city’s Heritage Reserve Fund.