Signs on a new fence around the Kamloops Centre For The Arts property. (Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum/CFJC Today)

By Victor Kaisar

Build Kamloops

Kamloops Centre for the Arts construction kicks into high gear Monday; traffic impacts expected

Jan 30, 2026 | 11:19 AM

KAMLOOPS — The first in a series of traffic impacts around the site of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts downtown will begin on Monday (Feb. 2) when construction kicks into high gear.

The City of Kamloops says Fourth Avenue from Seymour Street to St. Paul Street will be closed for approximately two weeks to allow crews to complete shallow utility work. Once that work is complete in the middle of February, Fourth Avenue will reopen to two-lane traffic.

“As construction progresses and deep excavation begins to take shape, portions of surrounding roads will be used for construction staging and deliveries, resulting in lane closures, pedestrian detours and traffic pattern adjustments in the downtown area,” a statement from the city said.

“Motorists are encouraged to plan extra travel time and follow posted signage.”

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There will also be impacts to on-street parking immediately adjacent to the north, east, and south sides of the project site at 393 Seymour Street — the location of the former Kamloops Daily News building, which was then used as a parking lot until the end of November.

Those on-street parking restrictions will be in effect until construction is complete in 2029.

“Additional parking restrictions may be implemented in the area, in accordance with the project’s traffic management plan,” the city added. “To reduce pressure on downtown parking, satellite work areas and off-site crew parking will be utilized.”

Overview of traffic impacts around the site of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts project. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

The southbound bus stop on Fourth Avenue at Seymour Street will also be temporarily unavailable in February while Fourth Avenue is closed to traffic, with the next available stop located on Fourth Avenue at Battle Street. Up-to-date transit impacts can be found online here.

A separate sewer main project on Fourth Avenue between St. Paul Street and Battle Street – to upgrade capacity downtown for the City Gardens development as well as the arts centre – is also expected to resume in March.

Work began at Lansdowne Street in July last year, and crews made it to St. Paul Street by the end of the construction season.

Arts Centre Details

Construction the Kamloops Centre for the Arts kicked off with a groundbreaking in November, and foundations are expected to be installed by the end of this year. The building is expected to rise from the ground in 2027, with a grand opening slated for 2029.

Once complete, the arts centre, which could cost as much as $211 million, will feature two theatres — a ‘premier’ theatre with 1,100 seats and an ‘intimate’ one with 450 seats. There will also be a 17,400-sq. ft lobby, cafe and gallery space; amenities like rehearsal halls, green rooms, dressing rooms and storage space; as well as two-levels of underground parking with 158 spaces.

“The city appreciates the patience and co-operation of residents, businesses and visitors as this transformative project moves forward,” the city statement said. “Regular updates will be shared as construction progresses to help the community and impacted parties stay informed.”

Kamloops councillors previously approved the borrowing of up to $140 million for the project, which will also be funded using a mix of reserves, fundraising and the reallocation of existing funds.

According to staff, the city has about $188.3 million in available funding to build and equip the arts centre ($150.5 million) and pay for soft costs, site costs and administration work ($37.8 million). Work is underway to source the remaining $22.7 million for the second underground parking level by 2029, without going back to taxpayers.

You can find floor plans for the arts centre and other details about the project here.