Member of Kamloops City Council had an opportunity to share their opinions and ask questions about the recently completed business case of the proposed performing arts centre and parkade in downtown Kamloops.
The business case was presented to Council ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, and it cites a net new economic impact of $11 million for Kamloops. The case states the building of a new performing arts centre and parkade will create 76 construction jobs and 64 ongoing jobs.
“I feel that this is something that hopefully the community can embrace and can help define us in a more complete way,” said Councillor Dieter Duty.
A common topic of discussion was around the parkade, which will create approximately 350 new parking spaces in downtown Kamloops and has received little previous discussion around the potential construction of the complex.
“I was hoping that prior to November 7th the public be made aware that this is really in fact two projects, and that would be a really important part of it,” said Councillor Ken Christian.
Around 120 parking currently on the proposed site and previous studies have determined a net of 200 additional parking spaces are needed downtown, which would be serviced with the construction of the parkade, which will cost $25 million of the total project cost of $90 million.
If approved, the average Kamloops household will see a tax increase of approximately $40 dollars per year for 20 years, but Recreation, Social Development, and Culture Manager Barb Berger said those numbers could decrease if the project receives further funding.
“We’ve made applications for funding that we haven’t had any word on yet. We will be continuing to apply, we haven’t done any kind of major fundraising. We’re looking at this, asking the taxpayers permission to borrow up to a maximum of $49 million,” Berger said. “If we were to receive funding from other sources we would have the ability to reduce the amount we need to borrow. That’s the only fair way to take it to the tax payer. This is where we’re at today, worst case scenario this is what we’re asking, and this is what the impact would be.”
Kamloops residents will be presented the question “Are you in favour of the City of Kamloops borrowing up to $49 million to design and construct the parkade and performing arts centre complex?” in a referendum on November 7th.
