Kamloops Council has tentatively approved the borrowing of up to $140 million for the Centre for the Performing Arts and up to $135 million for a new ice complex, pending the results of a counter-petition by voters.

In a 9-0 vote, council voted to move the two projects – which are part of the ambitious Build Kamloops initiative – to the next stage. Also included in that $275 million amount is $10 million for future development and design work for other Build Kamloops initiatives.

Communications Manager Kristen Rodrigue says the plan to borrow the that money will cost the average Kamloops household – valued at around $800,000 – an extra $25 a year for the next five years.

“And this provides the city with approximately $1.34 million [extra a year] to offset future borrowing costs,” she said. “And as the city grows and new residents choose to call Kamloops home, they too will contribute through their property taxes, minimizing the impact on today’s residents.”

“Our current debt is dropping. We are in a strong financial position and the growth we are experiencing as a community increases our borrowing capacity. The investment required from taxpayers now is only $25 more per year, per household for five years, and with that, we can build Kamloops.”

That new cumulative fund was included in the 2024 budget. It will give the city around $20.25 million after five years to support future debt repayment.

In March of last year, Council also allocated $1-million of its nearly $15.7-million share of the provincial Growing Communities grant towards the Build Kamloops initiative, with another approximately $4.3-million unallocated at this time.

Rodrigue says more information about the Alternate Approval Process – which is expected to wrap up in September – will be forthcoming. She says if taxpayers approve the borrowing, the city expects it will repay the two loans back over a period of 30 years.

Tuesday’s vote included a directive for City staff to send the two borrowing bylaws to the Inspector of Municipalities for approval, a process which could take six to eight weeks, according to a staff report.

“Once approval is received, communications to the public will begin,” the report said. “The alternative approval process takes place within 30 days of the second public notification.”

Under the alternate approval process, eligible Kamloops voters who oppose the borrowing have 30 days to sign and submit an elector response form to City Hall. No action is required from people who support the borrowing.

“An alternate approval process is the most affordable and efficient way to seek electorate approval for long-term borrowing,” O’Reilly said. “It requires the same level of transparency and oversight as a referendum without the $200,000 price tag.”

If 10 per cent or more of the electorate opposes borrowing, Rodrigue says is left with three options – a referendum on the same question, a new AAP or referendum question, or it can abandon the Build Kamloops program.

Rodrigue says the City is basing its strategy to fund Build Kamloops on four pillars – fundraising, grants, existing funds, and capital funding, which includes long-term debt. Exact amounts for each pillar are not yet known at this time.

“As Build Kamloops is a multi year program, we’re looking to fund it in phases that align with when the funds are needed for a project, and what is reasonable for residents,” Rodrigue said.

“Where individuals need to take out a loan before they buy the thing, we don’t need to borrow until the facility is built. We can continue to build our borrowing capacity as we build these facilities and then take out our loan without any single large tax increase.”

Price tag for Arts Centre, ice complex revealed

The total cost to design and build the Centre for the Arts is now an estimated $154 million, up from $120 million, with that previous figure based on 2023 unit rates.

Staff are already in the process of finding companies interested in designing and building the long-awaited – and sometimes controversial – facility, which is set to rise at 4th Avenue and St. Paul Street downtown.

“Kamloops’ only dedicated theatre space – the Sagebrush Theatre – was built when our community was almost half the size we are now, and it cannot support community demand,” Councillor Mike O’Reilly, the Chair of the Build Kamloops Select Committee said, in a statement.

“This facility will help Kamloops attract and retain the professionals we need and generate tourism opportunities and spinoffs that will benefit the entire community, regardless of if you ever step foot inside.”

The total costs for the new ice arena multiplex – which will be built on city-owned land at 2070 Hillside Drive, next to the main entrance of Kenna Cartwright Park – is $140 million.

The facility will have at least four sheets of ice with room to expand as Kamloops grows. It will also include seating for spectators, change rooms and sports amenities, as well as fitness facilities and other multi-purpose rooms.

“The arena multiplex will finally add much-needed ice to the city’s inventory to meet the needs of multiple ice sports,” Rodrigue said.

Trio of new projects coming by early 2025

Tuesday’s announcement also included details about a new seniors centre at 730 Cottonwood Ave. on the North Shore, which will be operated by the Centre for Seniors Information.

The organization, which used to run the Brock Activity Centre until it closed in June last year, will take over the 12,000 sq. ft. space this fall, making it the first completed Build Kamloops project.

The City of Kamloops and the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association are also partnering on a project to repair and make improvements to the existing indoor soccer dome at 313 Nishga Way on Tk’emlúps land until a new facility can be built.

“Council has authorized a loan agreement that will extend the life of the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association Soccer Dome for the next 25 years, maintaining Kamloops’ only indoor field capacity while the new project is advanced,” the City said, in a statement.

The renovated soccer dome is expected to be open by this winter.

The plans also include the repurposing of the Parkview Activity Centre near McDonald Park into a new childcare centre, which the City expects will be funded by the province. Activities currently held at the Parkview Activity Centre in North Kamloops will be moved to the new seniors centre on Cottonwood Ave.

“Council is committed to seizing opportunities to meet immediate needs and build capacity in our community while we advance long-term solutions,” O’Reilly added.

“A seniors centre has been identified as part of Build Kamloops since the start, and this opportunity allowed us to expedite that component and created a spin-off opportunity to create child care spaces.”

The new Parkview Activity Childcare Centre is expected to open sometime next year, according to city timelines.

And here’s an early look at projected timelines for the entire Build #Kamloops initiative.

Looks like the new North Shore pool, and the indoor field facility, is at least ten years away. pic.twitter.com/fH79oVlrit

— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) June 25, 2024

The City is holding a public open house at Kelson Hall on Tuesday July 9, where people will be able to learn more about Build Kamloops and be able to ask questions of staff and Council.

You can find more about the Build Kamloops Initiative, including the scope of the selected projects, here.