Artist's rendering of the proposed performing arts centre planned for 393 Seymour St.
Image Credit: City of Kamloops
October 29, 2015 - 1:30 PM
KAMLOOPS - Yet another chance is being given to residents to find out more information about the performing arts centre proposed for downtown Kamloops.
The North Shore Business Association, in partnership with the city of Kamloops, will host an information session tonight, Oct. 29.
“We have a lot of businesses concerned about the costs of the new (performing arts centre), as well as some who are in favour of this infrastructure project. Because of this our board chose to make sure that our members are informed about the referendum question rather than take sides,” association executive director Steven Puhallo says.
The open house will take place at the Centre for Senior’s Information at the Brocklehurst Shopping Centre from 5 to 7 p.m.
While a referendum in the performing arts centre takes place Nov. 7, the first of two advance polls opened yesterday. Mayor Peter Milobar says over 1,500 residents voted during the first day of advances polls yesterday. The next advance poll is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m at Heritage House, 100 Lorne St.
The city will also host information sessions on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Parkside Lounge in the Sandman Centre.
Recently the centre received two more supporters, the Kamloops Wineries Association and the Beattie School for the Arts.
In a release the wineries association says a performing arts centre 'will elevate Kamloops to a new level in terms of cultural sophistication,' while the school says it will 'give our local kids better and bigger chances to shine.'
Thus far, there has been only one group not in favour of the arts centre and several groups – with very vocal support from multiple businesses and associations in Kamloops – in favour.
A referendum Nov. 7 will ask residents it they are in favour of taking on $49 million worth of debt to build a performing arts centre. The referendum itself is expected to cost $160,000.
The centre is proposed to be built on the site of the former Kamloops Daily News site on Seymour Street at a cost of $90 million, with $25 million of that reserved to build a parkade.
It will be funded from a two per cent tax hike over the course of two years, which translates to roughly $40 per household, per year, for 20 years.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Dana Reynolds at dreynolds@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015