Kamloops wins $7M grant for arts centre lobby; millions more awarded for Savona, Ashcroft water projects

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

“This funding announcement is a significant milestone for Kamloops and a strong endorsement of the vision our community has been building toward for years,” said Kelly Hall, who chairs the Build Kamloops Select Committee, in a news release. “Receiving the maximum grant amount available demonstrates that senior levels of government recognize the importance of investing in arts and cultural infrastructure that supports community well-being, economic development and long-term growth.”

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Expanding our EV charging network

Jul 29, 2026

Question of the Week

Should there be more City of Kamloops lifeguards monitoring the Thompson River?

Jul 27, 2026

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: July 27, 2026

Jul 27, 2026

The UBCM also selected two water projects in the region as funding recipients from the grant program.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District will receive $7 million to build a new water treatment plant in Savona.

That will take care of the majority of the $11-million project budget. The TNRD has secured funding from two other grant programs to cover the remainder.

In applying for the grant, the TNRD’s Jamie Vieira said turbidity in the water drawn from Kamloops Lake has led to recurring issues with the Savona Community Water System, presenting ‘an ongoing health risk.’

In a news release issued Thursday (July 30), the TNRD says this is the largest grant the district has received for a project in its history.

“As the largest community water system operated by the TNRD, Savona’s system will benefit from the addition of a state-of-the-art water filtration plant that will finally end the chronic annual boil water advisories for the community,” said Mike Grenier, director for Electoral Area ‘J’ and Chair of the TNRD Utility Systems Committee.

The Village of Ashcroft was also selected for funding. It will receive $4.8 million to expand its reservoir in Pressure Zone 3 and install a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) station.

Individual grant applications were capped at a maximum of $7 million. Kamloops and the TNRD were two of 13 applicants who will receive the maximum grant amount.