Kamloops Centre for the Arts project to break ground Wednesday

While some preliminary site work on the long talked about – and sometimes controversial arts centre project – is set to take place this fall and winter, construction is expected to begin in earnest next year.

“Deep excavations will start in the spring, with foundations installed by the end of 2026,” a City of Kamloops statement said. “The Kamloops Centre for the Arts will begin to rise from the ground in 2027, with steel erection, building envelope, and systems installation. Drywall installation, fit and finish, and equipment installation will occur in 2028, working toward a grand opening in 2029.”

The arts centre — which was identified as the top priority in the city’s Recreation Master Plan — is the first in a series of Build Kamloops projects. City staff have said the 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.

While the facility could now cost as much as $211 million, up from previous preliminary estimates of around $154 million, Kamloops councillors have only approved the borrowing of up to $140 million.

The city has about $188.3 million in available funding (up from $166 million) and staff are working to source the remaining $22.7 million by 2029 – to pay for a second underground parking level – without going back to taxpayers to ask for more money.

According to city staff, about $150.5 million of the total project cost will go towards building and equipping the new facility, with another $37.8 million going towards soft costs, site costs, and administration work.

City Council has also green-lit the borrowing of up to $135 million for a four-sheet arena multiplex — with a library — in Dufferin as well as future Build Kamloops initiatives. A updated price tag for that facility is not yet known.

Both those projects received public assent through the alternative approval process (AAP) last year and they then survived a legal challenge from residents, paving the way for construction to get underway.

According to previous city estimates, construction on the arena multiplex is also expected to be complete by 2029 or possibly 2030.

The city has also previously said it expects all Build Kamloops projects to be paid through a combination of debt financing as well as various government grants along with corporate and private donations.

A one per cent cumulative tax increase that was implemented in the 2024 budget to help pay for these projects is set to come off the books after 2028.

You can find floor plans for the arts centre and other details about the work done to get ready for the upcoming groundbreaking here.

by Victor Kaisar

Kamloops Centre for the Arts project to break ground Wednesday

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