A rendering of the arena multiplex in Dufferin. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

By Victor Kaisar

Build Kamloops

Preliminary earthworks may begin in June, as city envisions year-round ice at Dufferin Multiplex

Jan 26, 2026 | 10:57 AM

KAMLOOPS — Preliminary earthworks at the site of the proposed arena multiplex in Dufferin could begin as early as June this year, according to the latest estimates from the City of Kamloops.

In a report going before Monday’s (Jan. 26) Build Kamloops meeting, the city says the validation phase of the project began in December last year after the project team was assembled. That team was formed after a “thorough and essential procurement process” that ran between May and November.

“It takes a bit of time to assemble that team but we wanted to make sure that we had the right resources to be able to deliver the facility everyone expects,” Matt Kachel, the city’s Infrastructure Delivery Manager, said at the meeting.

“It’s a very different project from [the arts centre] so we ended up with some similar team members but also several different ones to address the specific needs of this project.”

In the report, Kachel said “critical decisions” were presented to the Build Kamloops Select Committee and to Council during the procurement process.

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“We have a lot of key decisions made already but as we work through the validation phase, we’re going to start filling in those details to make sure that everything comes together in the way that the community, council and the committee expect,” Kachel said.

The arena multiplex is expected to feature four NHL-sized ice rinks, one mini rink similar to the one at McArthur Island, change rooms and other sports amenities, multi-purpose rooms, a new library, and roughly 700 parking spaces.

Staff note the final validation report – which is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year – will commit the city to the project’s overall scope as well as schedules, budgets, and the “level of finish/quality on the facility.”

“[The validation report] is also enough to start construction in a design/build type format but with much greater accuracy and control,” Kachel said in the report.

An updated timeline notes that design work and finalized costs are expected to be known by the summer of 2027, though construction is expected to begin in earnest in the spring of 2027.

“Time is money and so the faster we can get moving with work, the better,” Kachel said at the meeting. “Instead of waiting for the site and the building to all be finished, we’ll move forward with what we can as soon as we can.”

While construction is currently anticipated to wrap up in early 2030, an opening date for the new arena is not yet known as the city says it will need to train staff and ensure all operating procedures are in place before the doors can be opened.

Updated timeline for the Dufferin Arena Multiplex (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

“Before finalizing the validation report, staff will provide the Build Kamloops Select Committee with an update to confirm that the scope and direction align with expectations, and to identify any significant risks or issues that may impact the project’s scope or deliverables,” the report said, noting unspecified land acquisitions are the “greatest risk to the project.”

The chosen location for the arena multiplex – a municipally-owned site next to Kenna Cartwright Park – is a former dump site for materials that were removed during construction of the Coquihalla Highway in the 1980s.

Kachel said Monday that early discussions with third-party stakeholders – including BC Hydro, Fortis, and the Ministry of Transportation – to address those risks have been positive.

“It is essential that all land matters are settled prior to finalizing the validation report, as they define the project’s scope,” the report added. “Should land issues affect the building footprint, the team will need to revise the work plan and update the validation report accordingly. Progress cannot be made without the validation report, which itself requires a clearly established scope of work.”

“If alignment is confirmed, preliminary earthworks could commence as early as June of this year.”

Kamloops council has already approved the borrowing of up $275 million towards Build Kamloops with up to $135 million going towards the multiplex as well as future Build Kamloops initiatives. The other $140 million is going towards the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, which is currently under construction.

Year-Round Ice

In a separate report also going before Monday’s (Jan. 26) Build Kamloops meeting, city staff said they envision the Dufferin multiplex having ice in place around the year, with arenas at McArthur Island, Valleyview, and Brocklehurst being available for dry-floor use and non-ice activities.

“The operating plan for the arena multiplex prioritizes year-round ice use, aiming to maximize opportunities for ice sports, tournaments, and high-performance training,” the report said, noting the new arena will run more cost efficiently than the older, less efficient rinks.

“Scheduling will prioritize minor sports, adult leagues, figure skating, public skating, and sports event hosting.”

Those other arenas will then become the “primary sites” for things like trade shows and exhibitions, Emergency Social Services staging, as well as dry-floor sports like ball hockey and lacrosse.

“This approach offers more efficient facility changeovers, predictable scheduling, and better emergency readiness,” Sherri Holmes, the city’s Sport, Recreation, and Wellness Manager, added.

“By balancing year-round ice availability at the arena multiplex with expanded dry-floor programming at other venues, the City aims to promote equitable access, foster community engagement, and support local economic development through increased tourism and event hosting.”