Image Credit: City of Kamloops

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Build Kamloops project will need a lot of support to pass

Jul 14, 2024 | 6:00 AM

THERE SEEMS TO BE A GOOD BROAD BASE of support for the new Build Kamloops project, which will go to the public in the next short while. The fact is that there is a strong need for these projects. In fact, you might consider this a vital need for the future of our city.

One of the reasons that Kamloops has been so successful in attracting events is that they have really good facilities for things like sports, for things like baseball or hockey, but we don’t have several items that will attract people to come to our city to visit or to live.

A performing arts complex has been needed in Kamloops for a long time. The Sagebrush Theatre is not an ideal facility for many types of artistic performances. It is still a good facility and will be great for a production where a smaller venue and fewer technical resources are needed, and a great venue for school productions, but as a standalone project, as the major performance venue in the city, the Sagebrush is just not going to cut it. Smaller spaces like Kelson Hall and the Pavilion Theatre have their place, too. But a well-rounded, functioning performing arts centre capable of holding over 1,000 people will be the type of thing that will attract visitors and new residents to our city.

The other project that will take up most of the $349-million cost of the Build Kamloops project is the multi-surface facility and arena, which is to be built in Dufferin.

While there are many groups supporting the project, there are many opposed, for a variety of reasons. Here are a few of them:

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1. THE COST: $349 million is a lot of money. But the cost of borrowing that money is relatively small. Those on fixed incomes like seniors will have to dig a little deeper and it no doubt will be a burden to some. But I think it’s worth it
2. THE APPROVAL PROCESS: You won’t be physically voting at the ballot box. The city will be using the alternative approval process (AAP). What that means is, if you are in favour of the project, you don’t have to do anything. If you are against, you have to physically go and cast a negative vote. This process is cheaper than a normal election or referendum, but many see it as an underhanded way of getting something approved. There have been a number of concerns expressed about the AAP already.
3. APATHY: Kamloopsians have a reputation of being great volunteers, getting behind events like the Canada Summer Games, World Curling Championship and many more. We have a very positive reputation in this regard. But we can also be a very apathetic community. Our record for voting is not one to be proud of. I really believe the key to winning this ballot is to build up such a strong lobby that will point out the need for the project to go ahead. And speaking of that…
4. THE NEED: Do you remember years ago when we were promised a cancer clinic and it went to Kelowna instead? Several doctors told me Kamloops wasn’t as nice a place to live as Kelowna, partly because of the perceived amenities in the Okanagan. The need for facilities isn’t only for practical uses, but there is an intangible benefit — that of being perceived as a leader in working toward community sustainability and a dynamic group of residents who are behind the push for a community we can all be proud of. Let’s hope the majority of residents feel that way when the voting period opens up.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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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.