The performing arts centre would have replaced the old Daily News building on Seymour Street.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
February 16, 2016 - 11:30 AM
KAMLOOPS - The City of Kamloops spent nearly $35,000 in advertising for November's performing arts centre vote, or about $1.47 per person who actually voted.
The city was not a financial sponsor of either the yes or no campaigns for the centre referendum, all money went towards advertising to get citizens out to vote.
During the referendum vote, fewer than 32 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot. Of those who did vote, nearly 54 per cent said no to the $49 million debt needed to build a performing arts centre and parking complex at the site of the former Kamloops Daily News building on Seymour Street, enough to put a stop to the project.
Business manager Tammy Robertson oversaw the city’s budget of $35,000 and says almost all was spent.
“It went to ads in our local media,” she says. “We also had some signage around town.”
She says some materials were provided to groups, but it was the city’s own non-partisan literature promoting voting.
“Whatever materials we created we provided,” she says. “Whoever wanted them could get some from us.”
The city is now looking at other options for the property.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Brendan Kergin at bkergin@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016