City of Kamloops shows off renovated St. Andrew’s on the Square

“It’s a really great homecoming for the community to be able to come back to St. Andrew’s on the Square,” Kamloops Museum and Archives Supervisor Julia Cyr told CFJC Today.

“This was really much rooted in the thought that we need to honour that space and the building and the good work that all of the folks who have worked on St. Andrew’s over the years. Especially, too, the Heritage Society, who had been in here for so long.”

“What did they do? What would they envision? And how do we incorporate that into the future of this building?”

A sneak peek into a restored St. Andrew's on the Square in #Kamloops.

The city's oldest public building opens June 1, a little over two years after the significant fire on May 2, 2024. pic.twitter.com/cNJGLDwxYG

— Victor Kaisar (@supermario_47) May 14, 2026

The building suffered heavy fire, smoke and water damage on May 2, 2024, but portions – like the pews and stained glass – were salvaged as part of the $1.1-million restoration. New additions include a gender-neutral washroom, an updated kitchen and better accessibility upgrades to bring the space into the modern era.

“I would say the important things were preserved and restored. That mattered,” added Vedran Škopac, principal architect at Reimagine Architects. “They were the character-defining elements.”

“A lot of the other things were changed like the colour of the walls, the flooring, the detailing.”

Škopac said the completed project is “bittersweet” as he called the overall experience “a wonderful journey.”

“You always like to accomplish things,” he added. “The city was wonderful to work with. They saw this facility as being something that is beloved not just today but in the decades to come.”

The city took over operations at St. Andrew’s on the Square in 2022. Most of the work was paid for through insurance, but the city spent an additional $300,000 to cover items that were not covered by insurance.

Deputy Mayor Katie Neustaeter said approving the restoration work was an “easy yes” for council.

“This certainly has exceeded all expectations and we’re so grateful and glad,” Neustaeter told CFJC Today. “History matters. Heritage matters and as the oldest building in Kamloops built in 1887, this was worth investing in. There are precious memories here for people.”

People will be able to create new memories next month, as bookings will begin on June 1. Cyr says you’ll have to act soon as the space is expected to fill up quickly.

“It’s about creating space that is warm and welcoming to all,” Cyr said.

“Everyone who comes through St. Andrews on the Square should feel invited. They should feel that this is their home and that they can enjoy and have those moments together as a family as a community in times of sorrow and joy.”

Cyr said there will be free public tours of the building on Saturday next week (May 23). Tours will depart from the museum booth at the Kamloops Farmer’s Market at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and from the museum’s front desk at 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

by Victor Kaisar

City of Kamloops shows off renovated St. Andrew’s on the Square

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