Council rejects mayor’s effort to pause Kamloops arts centre, arena multiplex projects

Councillor Kelly Hall, who chairs the Build Kamloops Select Committee, told Hamer-Jackson pausing the projects would be even more expensive, with evidence derived from a previous delay that began in 2024.

At that time, local resident Kathrine Wunderlich launched a court challenge of the alternative approval process (AAP) employed by council to gain public assent to borrow up to $270 million for both projects.

BC Supreme Court Justice Joel Groves eventually ruled in favour of the City of Kamloops, but the resulting eight-month delay, according to Hall, was very costly.

In figures presented to council Tuesday, Hall said the delay for the court challenge led to more than $12 million in cost escalation.

Councillor Mike O’Reilly, a former chair of the Build Kamloops committee, noted the delay also brought an unquantifiable opportunity cost.

“We have missed out on millions and millions of dollars in sponsorship from national and multi-national corporations that we had been working with that wanted to sponsor our facilities,” said O’Reilly. “When the AAP challenge got put forward, they walked.”

Hall predicts a further one-year delay could increase costs of both projects by an additional $10 million or more.

“Sorry, that’s part of democracy, though,” responded Hamer-Jackson. “And you think it’s one person? We just had hundreds and hundreds – I had 276 emails [from] people supporting the motion.”

Several councillors acknowledged the feedback from the public on the mayor’s push to pause the projects, saying it was appreciated.

“I’m glad we got that feedback, but we also got feedback from people who really want this, as well.” said Councillor Dale Bass. “We have to do, as a council, what is best, not for the 275 [in favour of the motion] or the 140 [in favour of continuing on], but for Kamloops, the city.”

Hamer-Jackson argued times are tight, with many people telling him they are struggling to pay their property taxes. He believes the multiplex and arts centre projects, which he broadly supported in his 2022 election campaign, could benefit if council waited until the economy bounces back.

“What happens if, when the federal and provincial government… and our economic times are stronger, what happens if we get hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding?”

Other councillors, though, argued there will never be a perfect time to make major expenditures. Councillor Bill Sarai put forward the view that the projects are an investment in the future of Kamloops.

“Everything that’s been in your motion, Mr. Mayor, I can honestly say, talking to longtime residents, these are exactly the sentiments that were shared when Sandman Centre was built,” said Sarai. “These are exact words that were shared when [the Tournament Capital Centre] was built.”

With only Hamer-Jackson in favour, the projects will continue unabated. Utility works are already underway for the performing arts centre at Fourth Avenue and Seymour Street, with project completion slated for 2029.

Site earthworks for the Dufferin arena multiplex are expected to begin later this year, with completion also scheduled for 2029.

by James Peters

Council rejects mayor’s effort to pause Kamloops arts centre, arena multiplex projects

Our Community