Image credit: Station One Architects

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: PAC report and $120-million estimate will raise eyebrows

Jan 22, 2024 | 5:55 AM

LET’S UPDATE the ever-changing arithmetic for the performing arts centre.

The latest number to keep in mind is $120 million — that’s the preliminary estimate contained in a report to City council’s Build Kamloops committee today.

But let’s start at the beginning. In 2003, a new performing arts centre was put into the City’s cultural strategic plan. The estimated cost was $15 million. As time went on, estimates rose to $30 million.

In 2015, a referendum to borrow up to $49 million — with a total cost of $90 million for the PAC — was defeated.

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In 2020, a second referendum on a scaled-down version with almost no parking, was withdrawn due to the pandemic. That one would have sought borrowing of up to $45 million for a $70-million project.

Inflation soon raised cost estimates back to $90 million for a much less robust project than the one proposed for the same price in 2015.

The cost of procrastination has been huge. The estimated cost is now eight times what it would have been if there had been timely action at the start.

Today’s committee report leaves many questions unanswered. For example, it doesn’t say whether the $120 million includes the $4.8 million the City already spent on the old Kamloops Daily News site, or the $10 million pledged by the Fawcett family.

The report suggests the City borrow $7 million on a work plan and final design. That’s an astounding figure, and different than previous proposals that included design in the total cost. The report doesn’t say how much of the $120 million would be borrowed, only that grant money would be looked for.

It’s all preliminary stuff but, still, it provides a lot to think about. It will start tongues wagging, so a good communication strategy is needed, quickly. Kamloops needs this amenity. This might be the last chance to get it, and the new numbers will take some serious explaining.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.