A photo of a handout depicting a rendering of a new performing arts centre in downtown Kamloops distributed at the Jan. 8, 2019 city council meeting.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/CHP Architects
July 30, 2024 - 3:20 PM
The City of Kamloops will take out $275 million in loans unless 10 per cent of eligible voters sign counter petitions made available today, July 30.
It's an amount that's split between two projects. One is for the long-planned downtown performing arts centre and the other for an ice rink.
"There is not a perfect solution," Coun. Mike O'Reilly said of the counter petition, called an Alternate Approval Process.
While the city has heard from critics who would rather see a referendum used, O'Reilly said the counter petition should be more accessible than a vote because it can be submitted online.
The deadline to petition against both loans will be 4 p.m., Sept. 13.
Council approved the timeline with a single opposing vote from Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson.
The performing arts centre loan will be up to $140 million, while up to $135 million will be borrowed for the multiplex.
Two different petition forms are available for each loan with four in total. One will be used by residents and the other for non-resident property owners.
Both petition requires 8,713 signatures to turn down the loans a number which represents 10% of eligible voters.
If denied by voters, it will likely head to referendum.
Staff noted the alternate approval process is estimated to cost around $20,000, while a referendum would cost around $200,000. Only once each facility is built will the taxpayers start paying for each loan if they're approved.
It's the seventh time Kamloops has used an alternate approval process since 2001.
Forms are available online or at city hall.
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