Kamloops council agrees to spend $7M on new arts centre but not without infighting | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kamloops News

Kamloops council agrees to spend $7M on new arts centre but not without infighting

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Image Credit: SUBMITTED/CHP Architects

Despite largely unified support for a proposed multi-million dollar Kamloops arts centre, councillors and the mayor still managed to clash in council chambers today.

Council was tasked with voting on a $7-million design project for the art centre, but Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson had some questions.

He questioned whether there'll be enough parking and whether residents will be asked to vote in a referendum again. He was also skeptical of the $7-million bill for the design work.

Multiple times, however, he assured the rest of council that he's supportive of the downtown Kamloops Performing Arts Centre.

His line of questioning appeared to be taken as challenging to some councillors.

"I'm sitting here in astonishment with some of the questions that are asked by our mayor," Coun. Kelly Hall said, going on to say Hamer-Jackson chose not to take part in the committees dealing with the facility.

Most councillors voted in favour to spend $7 million on a detailed design for the project, which is now estimated to cost at total of $120 million.

"Jesus Christ," Coun. Bill Sarai said as Hamer-Jackson put up his hand as the sole opposing vote.

Local philanthropist and developer Ron Fawcett gave a presentation to council ahead of the vote. His donations have so far saved the City around $10 million.

The project was previously estimated to cost $70 million as residents prepared to cast their votes on a March 2020 referendum, which was the second after it was previously voted down by residents.

Voters were asked to decide whether or not the City should take out a $45 million loan to partially fund the project, but referendum was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Costs have ballooned since then.

It's not clear if the City will head to a referendum again on the major project.


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