If 4th Avenue is in, what about the performing arts centre?

KAMLOOPS — THERE ARE TIMES when I have hope for City of Kamloops planners.

A report on Phase 2 of the Downtown Plan process was presented Tuesday and there’s some good stuff in there.

Never mind that it recommends doubling down on the questionable Fourth Avenue “pedestrian plaza” concept. Maybe I was just there at the wrong time during the two-week experiment but it looked like anything but a big success to me.

Why planners and City council — “bold” was the favourite word to describe it yesterday — think this is a good idea when pedestrian malls so famously flop almost everywhere they’re tried is beyond me.

Never mind, there are positive signs elsewhere in the report. For example, a hobby horse of mine — making Seymour Street pedestrian-friendly — figures prominently. To that, I say, “hallelujah.”

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Traffic calming using roundabouts and lower speed limits is high on the public’s wish list, along with truly wishful thinking — free or less expensive parking.

Now here’s the biggie: the performing arts centre is back for discussion. Yes, people want it revisited and it’s right there in the report for consideration.

The Kamloops Daily News property, now a parking lot, sits awaiting a higher purpose. What’s missing is a champion. Nobody on council talked about it yesterday.

Some of those planning to run in the civic election have mentioned it in passing, but it should be a major issue in the campaign.

Kamloops deserves a proper performing arts centre. It just needs to be designed and sold in the right way, and I remain convinced that Kamloops residents will get behind it if it’s done right.

Right now, though, there’s no one in sight who wants to take the lead — including those who helped defeat the first proposal but promised to support a revised plan.

Planners will now develop a more concrete draft plan for the downtown, and seek more engagement.

So who will step up for a performing arts centre? We’re waiting.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.