Image Credit: Blue Green Architects

By Dylana Kneeshaw

REZONING APPLICATION

Rezoning of Tournament Inn property piques interest of Valleyview residents

May 15, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Members of the Valleyview Community Association and residents of the area took great interest in a Tuesday evening (May 14) public hearing this week. The session discussed the rezoning application put forward to turn the current Tournament Inn property into a multi-use development.

Lynn Vicars is the Secretary of the Valleyview Community Association, and says the rezoning application is positive in a sense that it presents an opportunity to see something done about what has been previously labeled by the city as a ‘nuisance property’. However, Vicars also feels any new builds on that busy Frontage Road will need careful planning.

“Traffic and congestion is a huge thing,” said Vicars. “I’m okay with the rezoning because we need the housing. We could really use a new hotel or motel in Valleyview and I think that revitalization tax (exemption) is really going to help there.”

The application aimed to have the area rezoned so developers can remove the existing Tournament Inn, and build an 80-room hotel and a 60-unit, multi-family residential building.

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“This would meet the policies of KamPlan,” the city’s current planning manager Eric Beach stated at the public hearing. “It is in a commercial area where we do want to see an increase in density. We’re also looking to be adding the future Valleyview Transit Exchange into the area which will increase transit capabilities for any future residents of this property. As such, staff support the application.”

Those who have written to the city about the rezoning proposal expressed concerns around how a larger development would fit in the high-traffic area.

“Housing on the Frontage Road? That would be a good thing, as long as the traffic and congestion is dealt with, and the sidewalks.”

But for residents who have seen repeated social and criminal issues in the vicinity of the Tournament Inn, the very mention of redevelopment sparks positive curiosity.

“I think it’s a good thing. People that I’ve talked to, yes, they think it’s a good thing. Sometimes it’s scary to be a Valleyview resident right now. That’s an interesting corridor for sure.”

Though the rezoning application was approved by council, it doesn’t guarantee that the proposed development will be built as is. However, it would make it possible for the developer to move forward.