Hotel 540 is a possible site for a new performing arts centre.

Image Credit: National Hospitality Group

CAUTIOUS SUPPORT

KAMLOOPS - There is a lot of information to sort through as we head into elections, so we decided to make the candidates answer a series of five questions as directly as possible, and in as few characters as possible.

They have already covered the proposed Ajax Mine and taxes, today they address a performing arts centre. Candidates were not given any direction on how to answer, other than it had to be in Twitter format, 140 characters or less, and in no more than a series of five ‘tweets’.

Every candidate responded except mayoral candidate Ben James and city council candidate Reo Rocheleau. Their unedited answers are in alphabetical order below.

MAYORAL CANDIDATES

Pierre Filisetti: Yes in principle, however the economic (money) side of this worthy project needs to be very carefully scrutinized; Is a project for the homeless money better spent for the betterment of the community?

Peter Milobar: Gr8 opportunity to enhance arts and culture in #Kamloops if op an cap dollars make sense. 

Dallas Paisley: Performing arts center will be built ASAP

COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES

Nancy Bepple: I support a performing arts centre in the downtown. First, however, the feasibility study needs to be completed to ensure it is fiscally viable.; My role would be to work with others to look for ways to maximize the use of the centre such as having the centre include meeting rooms for small conferences.
 
Donovan Cavers: Big projects need to be done carefully to ensure no important details are missed. Grant financing will be needed to make it happen.

Ken Christian: Performing Arts Centre should be built downtown only with a strong business case and elector assent

Nelly Dever: good concept – need to consider capital cost, operating cost, tax base support and sustainability

Bob Dieno: Would like to see one built... multi-use partnering with prov & fed gov’t possible public/private works too

Dieter Dudy: Make it a multi-use project that would include downtown parking, a public market, the arts centre and professional offices to make the cost more appealing.

Annette Glover: Preference for a publicly operated facility (similar to TCC or arenas) to ensure all aspects of our strong fine arts culture–large & small–…;  My vision is to utilize urban densification and planning to ensure maximizing the facility for use and cost containment.

Jenny Green: Focus on public process to ensure a practical and sustainable multi-use centre

Brad Harrison: Ask the Arts Community what they need. Multi-use, sustainable economically, accepted by residents of Kamloops, frequently occupied

Tanja Hasler: Is only a good idea if it is affordable, the net economic projections are positive and
money is not needed for more urgent priorities.

Glenn Hilke: Not the right time we should put our $ & energy to assist the next generation of artists, musicians, actors, directors

Peter Kerek: Let’s better utilize current facilities for Kam's fledgling artists. Other pressing issues must be resolved before we fund a new PA centre.

Tina Lange: The study will say what we need & a referendum will say if the people want 2 pay 4 it. I want it 

Dustin McIntyre: A performing arts center is the next step of growth for #kamloops. It should be built with a minimal impact to tax payers

Andrew Miller: I do support the city’s pursuit of a performing arts center as long as certain criteria have been met.; This project must to be done properly, efficiently, and the proper market research must be completed.; I believe a state of the art facility would be able to attract a number of amazing events and add another dimension to our great city and increase our draw for tourists.; We must be able to afford it but also sustain it.  Do we have the population base that is willing and ready to not only pay for a facility but also attend events there?; Or do we live by the motto “if you build it, they will come?” That is quite a gamble with our tax dollars. Again, is this a need or want?

Daphane Nelson: Multi-use, self sustaining, meets approval and needs of City of Kamloops residents

Mike O’Reilly: Support the idea but needs a proper biz case and to go to referendum. Will look at selling air above PAC to developer for housing

Andy Philpot: Council just requested a study for this, my decision will be based on the outcome of this report, the projected cost and funding options

Cheryl Phippen: If we can afford a PAC, it would enhance cultural vibrancy of the City.  Location is key, must not further tax downtown infrastructure.

Alexandra Proctor: Sagebrush Theatre is currently double booked for every available day. #Kamloops Performing Arts Center makes fiscal sense. #Kampaign2014; Investing in the Arts helps to build a thriving downtown community and grows our city #Kamloops #WherePeopleWantToLive

Peter Sharp: I am a supporter of building a new performing arts theater in Kamloops, but have concerns on where, due to parking. 

Arjun Singh: Supported funding research study into performing arts centre so community can decide whether to build & operate thru referendum. #kamloops

Bernadette Siracky: Yes-excited to read feasibility study and create a plan. Will attract opportunities for diversity, tourism, business, education, social and cultural development.?
Marg Spina: Strongly support when grants are available
 
Glen Thompson: compare to Van - better & cheaper to have 3 arts club theaters (small) than one huge Ford Centre

Pat Wallace: Kamloops has grown in number of residents that the time has arrived to plan for a Performing Arts Centre.  A down town location is preferred.  We must recognize that without an economically viable downtown your City begins a slow spiral downward. Development, investors and jobs slowly disappear and taxes climb.  We are close to receiving the Consultants report providing information with respect to costs, locations and size and configuration etc. Their information will provide Council with opportunities to communicate all this information with the Public for their input. 

Denis Walsh: I support the City providing a new arts facility or facilities that best suits our needs, today. It is time we invested in arts & culture.; It is no longer good enough to build expensive infrastructure that is underutilized and targeted at a very select group of the population.; Process is always very important, especially on big proposals such as this. I believe City has a habit of starting at the outcome.; Process drives outcome. What do residents want? What do residents need?  How will it benefit our community? Can we afford it?; If process drives outcome, we may not know exactly where we are going, but when we get there we will know for certain it is where we want to be. 

Also read:
Candidates take on Ajax
Candidates tackle taxes

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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