The Kamloops Centre for the Arts includes five core areas:

• Theatre One: Premier venue, 1,100 seats, full accessibility, advanced technical features.
• Theatre Two: Intimate venue, 450 seats, designed for Broadway-style productions, full accessibility.
• Feature Lobby, Café, and Gallery: 17,400 sq. ft. lobby for gatherings, café for food service, and gallery space for art displays.
• Back of House: Loading dock, rehearsal halls, green rooms, dressing rooms, offices, concession areas, art storage, box offices, and general storage.
• Underground Parking: Two-level parking structure with a total of 158 parking spaces.

There will be a total of 158 parking spaces. The P1 level (base facility) includes 48 parking spaces and the P2 level (additional parkade) includes 110 parking spaces. 32 parking spaces have been designed as ‘EV-Ready’, allowing for the easy installation of charging stations now or in the future. Adding the second level of parking during the main build is more efficient and cost-effective than constructing a standalone structure in the future. It addresses public expectations for the facility created by the original concept and future-proofs the facility to support the downtown core. The Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association supports this option for its broader community benefits.

The number of parking spaces has varied between each design iteration, as the theatre design and accessibility were prioritized through the planning and budgeting process. Ultimately, with the addition of the second level of parking, the total of 158 parking spaces is slightly more than what was proposed in the summer of 2024 (125 spaces).

• Provides diverse, accessible spaces for arts, culture, and community events.
• Supports economic development, business growth, and partnerships.
• Enhances livability, inclusivity, and sustainability.
• Offers recreational, cultural, and social opportunities for all ages and abilities.
• Designed to exceed energy efficiency standards, reducing future operational costs and environmental impact.

The feature lobby, café, and art gallery spaces are designed to be open and welcoming to the public throughout the day, not just during performances. The lobby offers 17,400 sq. ft. for gatherings and community events, and the café will provide food service during the day. Art displays will be accessible for public viewing.

The parkade is also designed to be accessible without accessing the building, providing the opportunity for public parking when events are not scheduled in the facility.

The facility is designed with full accessibility in mind, exceeding minimum code requirements. Features include multiple elevators reaching all levels, accessible seating in both theatres, enclosed viewing spaces for sensory needs, and barrier-free access throughout. The design references the BC Building Code, BC Accessibility Handbook, and Rick Hansen Foundation design guidelines to universal accessibility.

While the City of Kamloops will retain ownership of the building and the major infrastructure systems (e.g., building envelope, mechanical and electrical systems), day-to-day operations will be managed by a new not-for-profit society that will operate at arm’s length from the City. This includes staffing the facility, managing rentals, and operating the box office.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for November 2025, followed by preliminary site works this fall/winter. Deep excavations will start in the spring, with foundations installed by the end of 2026. The Kamloops Centre for the Arts will begin to rise from the ground in 2027, with steel erection, building envelope, and systems installation. Drywall installation, fit and finish, and equipment installation will occur in 2028, working toward a grand opening in 2029.

Construction is expected to take three and a half years, with completion and opening anticipated in 2029.

During construction, portions of surrounding roads will be used for staging and deliveries, resulting in lane closures and adjustments. Sidewalks and traffic lanes will remain open whenever and wherever possible, and satellite work areas will be used to reduce parking pressure. After construction, the facility is expected to increase downtown activity, with ongoing traffic management and transit planning to support accessibility.

The City will be engaging with residents in 2026 to revisit some of the concepts from the Downtown Plan (2018) in light of current and future developments in the downtown core. Subscribe at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca to be informed of future opportunities.

The City will also host an information session in January 2026 where residents and businesses will learn more about project timeline and sequencing, project benefits and impacts, and have the opportunity to ask questions of the project team. The City is committed to transparent and open communication and will ensure impacted residents and businesses are provided with regular updates on the project and its progress throughout construction. Follow this project page to stay informed.

The City has carefully evaluated options to transplant the trees surrounding the perimeter of the property, and while the original intent was to salvage them, the proposed transplant method is no longer a cost-effective, viable option.

The fencing will be removed and stored for use in future projects.

Satellite parcels near the site will be used for contractor parking and material laydown, helping to reduce downtown parking pressure during construction.

The construction plan includes maintaining open sidewalks and traffic lanes whenever and wherever possible, using satellite work areas for material laydown. Regular communications with site neighbours and the public will be used to share changes and impacts.

How is this project funded?

• The funding plan is designed to avoid additional borrowing or tax increases.
• As outlined in the original funding strategy, the project uses a mix of debt, reserves, fundraising, and reallocation of existing funds.
• The financial plan is flexible, allowing for adjustments as risks are retired or additional funds become available.

In addition, the City is actively applying for grants, such as the Strategic Priorities Fund (up to $7 million for the Kamloops Centre for the Arts), and will continue to seek further grant and investment opportunities throughout the project.

The Kamloops Centre for the Arts project is funded through a combination of sources, as detailed below:

Construction and Fit-Out ($150.5 million)

What’s included: This is a full new build construction that include excavations, substructure, foundations, parkade (single level), superstructure, building envelope, interior finishes, elevators, electrical and mechanical systems, and general conditions. Theatre fit-out includes seats, orchestra pit-lift, theatre equipment, and concession equipment. Furniture and fixtures includes building signage, furniture, fixtures, appliances, building IT systems, and security systems.

How it’s funded: Most of the funding comes from borrowing, as authorized by Council and approved by the electorate in the fall 2024 alternative approval process. The balance of the funding for construction and fit-out will be covered through fundraising and sponsorships. If fundraising and sponsorship targets are not met, other existing funds, reserves, or available grant funds would be used.

• Debt funding: $140 million
• Fundraising and Sponsorship (Target): $10.5 million

Soft Costs, Site Costs, and Allowances ($37.8 million)

What’s included: Site costs include third party utility relocations, disconnection and removal of utilities from the existing site, hardscaping, landscaping, streetscape improvements, facility service connections, and site servicing for all major utilities. Soft costs include professional consulting fees, architects, engineering costs, permit fees, insurance premiums, and City administrative expenses. Allowances include construction contingencies, material escalation allowances, and additional contingency held within the project risk register.

How it’s funded: As these costs are essential to the construction of the project but not directly connected to the borrowing bylaw for the construction of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, this portion of the project relies on fundraising and sponsorship, reserves, non-competitive grant programs/streams, and existing funds, if needed. This portion includes the risk contingency, there may be opportunity to lower the total funding requirement if risks are not realized, negating the need to utilize some of these funding streams.

• Fundraising and Sponsorship (Target): $9.5 million
• Reserves: $14.1 million
• Non-competitive grant program funding: $8.4 million
• Existing funding: $5.8 million

Additional Parkade ($22.7 million)

What’s included: Deep excavation, foundations, and construction of a second parkade level beneath the Kamloops Centre for the Arts to add an additional 108 parking spaces.

How it’s funded: Through a capital prioritization process, the City aligns resources and capital investments with organizational priorities and Council directives. As Council has prioritized the construction of this parkade to support the Kamloops Centre for the Arts and the surrounding downtown business district, funds have been allocated from existing budgets to support this construction.

• Existing Funds: $7.2 million
• Future Reserves (2030): $15.5 million

This project has come to fruition thanks to the generous time and financial contributions of many community members, most notably Ron and Rae Fawcett. Prior to the start of the Build Kamloops program, an independent evaluation estimated $40 million dollars in fundraising potential for the program. The City and its partners are working on a comprehensive fundraising and sponsorship campaign that will include philanthropic, corporate, and community contribution opportunities of all levels. If fundraising and sponsorship targets are not met, the City will use a combination of reserve funds, project scope adjustments, and prioritization of other projects to ensure the Kamloops Centre for the Arts can still be delivered without additional borrowing or tax increases.

As part of the integrated project delivery process, risks discovered during validation/design (such as cost escalations, accessibility requirements, building code updates, and site complexities) are incorporated into the design, eliminating or reducing their impact before construction begins. Specific risk allowances are included in the budget, rather than relying on generic percentage-based contingencies. As the project progresses and potential risks are retired, Council will have the option to reinvest savings into the project or use them to reduce the overall project cost. Short of a pandemic-level disruption or similar force majeure event, this budget reflects maximum allowable cost, adjusted to 2025 dollars and supported by a fully developed design.

When determining the level of debt funding for this project, Council authorized borrowing $140 million over 30 years to fund the construction of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts. This amount was determined in consideration of other borrowing requirements (i.e. Arena Multiplex, Kamloops Police Services, and other projects) to stay within municipal borrowing limits, minimize the impact of the borrowing on Kamloops taxpayers, and still cover a significant portion of the construction cost. At the time, the estimated total cost of the construction was $154 million. Through the design and validation process, the integrated project delivery team created a Class A estimate of $150.5 million to construct the Kamloops Centre for the Arts.

The debt financing for the construction of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts was funded through a 1% annual tax increase for five years. A 1% increase is approximately $25 per year for the average Kamloops home. The funding plan is designed to avoid additional borrowing or tax increases, using a mix of debt, reserves, fundraising, and existing funding. The integrated project delivery model and transparent budgeting help manage costs and reduce financial risk.

An operating subsidy will be required after opening, similar to all other municipal recreation facilities. The Kamloops Centre for the Arts design considers energy efficiency and operational sustainability to help minimize costs— the exact funding needs will be finalized in the management plan. Based on the 2019 Kamloops Centre for the Arts business case (still largely relevant), the projected subsidy starts at approximately $887,000 in the first year and decreases over time as revenues grow. This is comparable to other City facilities (2025), such as Sandman Centre (~$550,000/year), Tournament Capital Centre ($1.60 million/year), and Westsyde Pool ($665,000/year). These contributions ensure facilities remain accessible and continue to serve as community hubs that support health and connection for all residents.