The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has officially launched an Alternative Approval Process seeking public approval to borrow money for a proposed regional search and rescue headquarters and training facility in Kamloops.
The proposed building would serve as the future home of Kamloops Search and Rescue while also functioning as a regional training centre for search and rescue teams throughout the Thompson-Nicola region.
The facility is proposed for a site at 4420 Devick Road in Rayleigh, adjacent to Highway 5, on land owned by the City of Kamloops. The building would also include space for Kamloops Fire Rescue Firehall No. 5, though that portion would be fully funded by the City and is not part of the TNRD borrowing request.
The AAP runs from May 26 to June 26 and applies to residents across all 10 TNRD electoral areas and 11 member municipalities.
TNRD Communications Manager Colton Davies says more than 140,000 eligible voters are able to participate in the process.
“So good chance if you’re listening to this, you’re affected and have an opportunity to vote,” Davies said.
Under the AAP process, residents who support the proposal do not need to take any action. Those opposed must submit an elector response form before the June 26 deadline.
Davies says if more than 10% of eligible electors submit opposition forms, the proposal would fail.
“So if it was 10% plus one, the AAP would not pass,” he explained, adding the TNRD Board has already indicated it would likely not proceed to a referendum if the initiative is defeated.
The TNRD is seeking approval to borrow up to $6.3 million over a 20-year period to fund construction of the facility, while also establishing a region-wide service to cover annual operating costs estimated at up to $100,000 per year.
Current estimates place the annual cost to taxpayers at approximately $1.07 per $100,000 of assessed residential property value — translating to roughly $7.37 annually for a home assessed at $680,000.
Davies noted the bylaw allows for a maximum taxation rate of about $1.14 per $100,000 of assessed value.
“And right now, with the estimates that we have for the borrowing amount plus the annual operating costs, the cost would work out, as we’re estimating today, to about $1.07 per $100,000 of assessed value for residential properties,” he said.
According to the TNRD, the project stems from a request made by KSAR in late 2023 for help establishing a modern, purpose-built operations centre. The organization currently operates out of an aging building on Mission Flats Road that officials say is no longer adequate for its operational needs.
The proposed facility would primarily function as the headquarters for KSAR, with approximately 75% of the building dedicated to search and rescue operations and training space.
In 2025 alone, KSAR volunteers responded to 59 search and rescue tasks, logging more than 2,200 on-task hours and contributing roughly 12,600 volunteer hours overall.
Davies says residents wishing to oppose the proposal can obtain forms online or at municipal offices throughout the region.
“You could do it all online and download, fill out the form online, and then submit it back by email,” Davies said.
More information about the proposal and the AAP process is available through the TNRD SAR Hall AAP information page.
