‘The momentum is just starting to build’; Build Kamloops chair hopes $7M federal grant will unlock more dollars

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson was not present.

“This council took on the initiative of Build Kamloops some four years ago,” Hall added. “What we’re seeing right now is not only building momentum in behind me here, but now we’re seeing funding starting to come to the community.”

It’s still a drop in the bucket as the arts centre carries an overall $211-million budget, most of which will come via long-term debt. But there is hope that these federal dollars will mean looser purse strings at other levels of government and private donors.

“We’re going to work right to the 11th hour in this term. We understand there are more opportunities,” Hall said. “Behind the scenes, I can say there are some good things that will be coming out to the community in the near future.”

The city is in the process of hiring a campaign manager who will be tasked with meeting a $40-million fundraising goal for the overall Build Kamloops initiative, which also includes the arena multiplex in Dufferin. Construction on that project is due to begin next year and wrap up by late 2029 or early 2030.

Build Kamloops also includes a curling and racquet sport complex at the current Memorial Arena site downtown, new indoor field space, a new leisure pool and a new all-ages community centre. Smaller projects include a new seniors centre at Cottonwood Avenue, renovations to the Kamloops indoor soccer dome and a new mini rink at McArthur Island.

Plans for a new daycare at the Parkview Activity Centre had to be shelved after an application for provincial funding was denied.

“Once we put that campaign team together and have the proper individuals in place, I’m quite confident we’ll reach that goal,” Hall said. “I’ve seen what the residents of Kamloops do when they’re asked to step forward for initiatives much like Build Kamloops.”

Hall used the example of Rae and Ron Fawcett, who helped advance the arts centre project in its early days. That project was identified as the top priority in the city’s Recreation Master Plan.

“I think [the Fawcett’s contributions were] in excess of $10 million already,” Hall said. “So, I’m quite confident that there are corporations in and around the Kamloops area that want to be a big part of a legacy building opportunity.”

“When you invest in your community like we are investing, that is for the children and grandchildren in the years to come.”

Last month, the City of Kamloops announced a partnership with the BC Interior Community Foundation allowing people to donate directly to Build Kamloops in general or to specific projects – currently just the Centre for the Arts or the arena multiplex.

Excavation work at the former Kamloops Daily News building as crews work to dig the underground parkade. (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today)

A groundbreaking for the arts centre was held in November last year, and crews are currently focused on the two-level underground parkade. The building itself is set to rise starting next year and construction is expected to wrap up in 2029.

“I think the progress that we’ve made is very significant,” Hall said. “Staff have done a very good job in looking at the IPD investment that we’ve put in to this particular site here. I think you’re going to see that come to fruition as far as good savings and on-budget opportunities.”

“We’ve very confident and, as I said earlier, the momentum is just starting to build.”

by Victor Kaisar

‘The momentum is just starting to build’; Build Kamloops chair hopes $7M federal grant will unlock more dollars

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