The Kamloops curling and racquet sports complex is the next identified flagship initiative under the City’s Build Kamloops program, designed to replace aging infrastructure with a modern, multi-use facility that meets Kamloops’ evolving recreational and community needs. The project will create a vibrant downtown hub that integrates curling, racquet sports, fitness facilities, and dry-floor recreation.

This site was selected because it offers the right space in the right place to meet community needs today and support our long‑term vision for downtown. The block provides approximately 3.6 acres in a transit‑oriented area, keeping the facility downtown—where curlers asked to be—and strengthening nearby businesses and amenities. It advances downtown revitalization by activating the east end of the downtown core and aligns with the City’s Downtown Plan. The location also creates a welcoming eastern gateway to downtown through thoughtful site design and public realm improvements. Just as important, it allows the City to responsibly replace end‑of‑life facilities—Memorial Arena and the current curling facility—with a modern, accessible complex that serves more people, more efficiently.

While the existing Memorial Arena will eventually make way for this next chapter, the new complex will carry forward its legacy. Memorial Arena remains a vital component of the City’s ice inventory, and its closure will not be considered until after the new arena multiplex in Dufferin is open, tentatively in 2029.

The decision of how to memorialize the arena has not yet been determined. Veteran groups—including the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52 and the Rocky Mountain Rangers—heritage groups, and facility user groups have already been engaged. The City is committed to continuing these conversations with the identified groups to find the best way possible to honour their histories, memories, and contributions and to help identify thoughtful opportunities for memorialization within the new design when the process begins.

Memorial Arena is a 75‑year‑old facility that is reaching the end of its life cycle and requires significant renovations and upgrades. While the facility remains operational, its limitations are substantial. It has significant accessibility challenges—washrooms and all change rooms are located down a steep, narrow stairwell with no accessible alternative. The building also lacks modern amenities, such as air conditioning and adequately sized dressing rooms, making it difficult for many groups to use it comfortably.

Not yet. Initial engagement and preliminary design discussions are underway. In September 2024, as part of the Arena Multiplex and Recreation Initiatives Loan Authorization Bylaw, the City received electorate approval to borrow up to $10 million to advance future Build Kamloops initiatives, which include the curling and racquet sports complex.

Pending all necessary approvals and funding, construction could start as soon as 2030, once the arena multiplex is open.

The engagement process for the Kamloops curling and racquet sports complex is rooted in inclusivity, transparency, and respect for the community’s deep connection to the existing facilities. The City started engaging in 2025 with multiple user groups, all of which support the project. These groups include veterans groups, such as the Kamloops Legion, the Rocky Mountain Rangers, Squadron 419, RCMP Veterans, ANAVETS 290, as well as the Kamloops Curling Club (including McArthur Island Curling Club), Future of Curling. Additional groups have been notified of plans, including the Kamloops Heritage Society, the Kamloops Minor Hockey Association, and the Kamloops Minor Lacrosse Association.

We’re planning a phased, inclusive, and transparent engagement process. We recognize the strong historical and emotional connections many residents and groups have with the current facilities—especially the Memorial Arena and its legacy—while considering broader community needs for sport and recreation.

Opportunities to share your input on the future facility will be clearly communicated and widely shared as they become available.