Our quality of life is directly connected to how we play, and recreation centres are community hubs for all generations to come together and build connections.

Kamloops has built and earned the title of Canada’s Tournament Capital through the tireless efforts of community volunteers and community leaders over decades of hosting first-class regional and national sporting events. But we’ve gained 40,000 residents since we took on this title a built the facilities like the Sandman Centre and the Canada Games Aquatic Centre to prove it.

Our current infrastructure is fantastic, but it cannot keep up with the community’s growth. As Canada’s 3rd fastest growing city, we are expecting to surpass 120,000 residents by 2035. That means in the next 10 years, we’re going to grow twice as fast as we did in the last 10 years. That also means that demand on our recreation facilities continues to grow. And the demand from sport organizations for tournament host communities continues to grow too, looking for non-competition spaces to enhance the event experience. Build Kamloops is about catching up and keeping up with growth.

Population Growth

The build dates and comparative populations for major Kamloops facilities are:

Population statistics according to the Government of BC's Municipal Census Population Statistics.

The Recreation Master Plan, which incorporated extensive public engagement and was adopted by Council in 2019, identified gaps in our infrastructure to meet current and future needs and reconfirmed the value of the Tournament Capital brand.

Based on that plan, the Build Kamloops Select Committee identified five facilities to explore as part of the Build Kamloops program, starting with the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, followed by an arena multiplex, a curling and racquet sport facility, an indoor field facility, and an aquatics centre, as well as a seniors centre or community space in conjunction with one of these.

Progress has already been made: the City has opened the Kamloops Seniors Community Centre at 730 Cottonwood Avenue, and is working with Kamloops Youth Soccer Association to repair their soccer dome, securing Kamloops' only indoor field space until the Build Kamloops field house can be realized.

Council is currently seeking electorate approval to borrow up to $275 million to build the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, design and build the Arena Multiplex, and advance other Build Kamloops initiatives.

As part of the engagement on this page earlier this year (summary of the Visioning tool is viewable below), we identified three over-arching themes that were important to residents:

• Multi-use: facilities should not be created to serve a single purpose.
• Community-oriented: facilities should consider the broader community needs.
• Accessible: facilities should be physically and economically accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

Council has determined that all facility concepts need to consider:

• Accommodations (housing and hotels)
• Community space
• Child play spaces
• Childcare services
• Fitness facilities
• Food and beverage services
• Medical services
• And office spaces for user groups and city operations.

The Build Kamloops priorities were informed through extensive community engagement for the Recreation Master Plan and prioritized based on project readiness, land availability, impact on other facilities, financial implications, and partnership and grant opportunities.

Locations are decided based on land availability, zoning, servicing, access, and several other factors that impact the potential for development of the site for each specific purpose.

The City is committing to four funding pillars.

1. Fundraising: Community-based, including philanthropic donations, corporate sponsorships and fundraising.
2. Grants: Investigate and apply to provincial and federal grant programs for various project components.
3. Existing Budgets: This includes reserves, operating budgets, and non-competitive grant streams/programs such as the Community Works Fund.
4. Capital Funding: This would include multiple funding sources, including debt financing.

Long-term debt financing requires a Loan Authorization Bylaw. At the June 25, 2024 Council meeting, Council introduced two bylaws which outlined the City’s intent to borrow $275 million: $140 million to fund the construction of the Centre for the Arts; and $135 million for the planning and construction of the Arena Multiplex and planning and design for other Build Kamloops initiatives.

The bylaws were approved via an Alternative Approval Process that closed on September 13, 2024.

The first phase of borrowing seeks to borrow $275 million to put towards the construction of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, design and construction of the Arena Multiplex, and planning and design for the Curling and Racquet Sports Facility. This will be funded through a 1% tax increase per year for five years. For the average household in Kamloops (valued at $800,000), this equates to an additional $25 per household, per year.

The Build Kamloops priorities were informed through extensive community engagement for the Recreation Master Plan and prioritized based on project readiness, land availability, impact on other facilities, financial implications, and partnership and grant opportunities.

Council does not require electorate approval to adopt strategic plans or approve projects, however electoral approval is required for any long-term borrowing required to complete the projects.

Council is currently seeking electorate approval to borrow up to $275 million to build the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, design and build the Arena Multiplex, and advance other Build Kamloops initiatives.

• More information on the alternative approval process is available here.
• An overview of the Build Kamloops alternative approval processes is available here.
• Statutory notices and elector response forms for the Build Kamloops alternative approval processes are here.

An alternative approval process enables local governments to directly engage citizens about a proposed bylaw intended to undertake long-term borrowing, a boundary extension, establish a new regional district service or other matter requiring elector approval.

More information on the alternative approval process is available here.

The City of Kamloops is seeking electoral approval for two bylaws:

• Kamloops Centre for the Arts Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-1, 2024 would authorize the City of Kamloops to borrow up to $140 million from the Municipal Finance Authority for a term no longer than 30 years. This would provide the funding required to construct the Kamloops Centre for the Arts at 393 Seymour Street.
• Arena Multiplex and Recreation Initiatives Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-2, 2024 would authorize the City of Kamloops to borrow up to $135 million from the Municipal Finance Authority for a term no longer than 30 years. This would provide the funding required to design and construct an arena multiplex at 2070 Hillside Drive, as well as proceed with development and design work for related Build Kamloops recreation initiatives.

Both eligible resident electors and eligible non-resident property owners can participate in the alternative approval processes. An elector is deemed eligible when they meet the requirements set out in section 172 of the Local Government Act.

Resident Elector

When signing an elector response form during an alternative approval process, a resident elector must:

• be 18 years of age or older;
• be a Canadian citizen;
• have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months;
• be a resident of the jurisdiction (e.g., municipality or electoral area) where the AAP is being conducted;
• live in the area defined for the AAP;
• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment from voting in a local election or be otherwise disqualified by law. [Community Charter, section 86(2)(e)(iii) and section 86(5); Local Government Act, section 65]

Non-Resident Property Elector

When signing an elector response form during an AAP, a non-resident property elector must:

• be 18 years of age or older;
• be a Canadian citizen;
• have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months;
• have owned property in the jurisdiction (e.g., municipality or electoral area) for at least 30 days;
• own property in the area defined for the AAP;
• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment from voting in a local election or be otherwise disqualified by law. [Community Charter, section 86(2)(e)(iii) and section 86(5); Local Government Act, section 65]

Only one owner can sign the elector response form when a property is owned by more than one registered owner. That owner must have the written consent of a majority of the other property owner(s) to sign the response form. Where a property is owned in whole or in part by a corporation, no one is eligible to sign an elector response form in relation to that property. [Local Government Act, section 66]

Note: There is no Corporate Vote - No corporation is entitled to be registered as an elector or have a representative registered as an elector and no corporation is entitled to vote.

The estimated number of electors was based on information gathered from Statistics Canada 2021 Census, BC Stats, and City records as calculated below:

The 2024 estimated population and age breakdown are sourced from the Population Estimates and Projections for BC on the BC Stats website. This site allows you to filter data by region type (municipality), region (33042-Kamloops), year (2024), and gender (Totals) and will provide estimated population (110,289) and estimated residents aged 18+ (91,387 or 82.9%).

To estimate the number of Kamloops residents who are not Canadian citizens and therefore unable to participate, we used the data from the Statistics Canada 2021 Census data that shows 5,245 Kamloops residents (5.9%) were not Canadian Citizens. Using a 19.3% growth rate, we determined that approximately 6,257 residents (5.67%) of Kamloops residents in 2024 are not Canadian citizens.

The 19.3% growth rate was calculated using the Kamloops population from the Statistics Canada 2021 Census data (92,442) and the 2024 Kamloops population estimate from BC Stats (110,289).

Finally, a list of non-resident property owners was pulled from the City's Taxation Division records. The list was reviewed to ensure that the property owners were residents of BC and that they were only counted once, regardless of the number of properties owned. If a property is owned in part or in whole by a corporation, it is not included. There is no corporate vote. The City is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which prevents the City from disclosing personal information, so a list of non-resident property owners can not be provided.

If you are in favour of the adoption of both Kamloops Centre for the Arts Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-1, 2024 and Arena Multiplex and Recreation Initiatives Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-2, 2024, no action is required.

If you are opposed to the adoption of Kamloops Centre for the Arts Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-1, 2024 and/or Arena Multiplex and Recreation Initiatives Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-2, 2024, complete and submit the corresponding elector response form and return it to City Hall before 4:00 pm on Friday, September 13, 2024.

As there are two separate bylaws, there are separate elector response forms. If you are opposed to both bylaws, you must submit two forms.

An individual who is opposed to one or both of the borrowing proposals may obtain an elector response form by:

• downloading a form online at Kamloops.ca/StatutoryNotices
• picking one up in person at Kamloops City Hall, 7 Victoria Street West, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday (closed on statutory holidays)
• requesting an electronic form be sent by emailing legislate@kamloops.ca

There are four different elector response forms available for the Build Kamloops alternative approval processes

• I live within the City of Kamloops municipal boundaries and I am opposed to the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-1, 2024 – use the RESIDENT Elector Response Form for the Kamloops Centre for the Arts.
• I live within the City of Kamloops municipal boundaries and I am opposed to the Arena Multiplex and Recreation Initiatives Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-2, 2024 – use the RESIDENT Elector Response Form for the Arena Multiplex and Future Development.
• I own property within the City of Kamloops municipal boundaries but I do NOT reside in the City and I am opposed to the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-1, 2024 – use the NON-RESIDENT Elector Response Form for the Kamloops Centre for the Arts.
• I own property within the City of Kamloops municipal boundaries but I do NOT reside in the City and I am opposed to the Arena Multiplex and Recreation Initiatives Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-2, 2024 – use the NON-RESIDENT Elector Response Form for the Arena Multiplex and Future Development.
• I am in support of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-1, 2024 – you do not need to submit a resident elector form.
• I am in support of the Arena Multiplex and Recreation Initiatives Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 57-2, 2024 – you do not need to submit a resident elector form.

Yes, but only if each person meets the requirements to participate in an alternative approval process (see question "Who is eligible to participate in the alternative approval processes").

One person may not submit more than one elector response form for each bylaw.

If you meet all the eligibility criteria listed on the resident elector response form, you must complete three fields in order for the form to be valid:

• Elector’s Full Name: this includes the elector’s first and last name and must be printed legibly. No initials are permitted.
• Residential Address: this includes the house number, street name, and postal code and must be printed legibly. The city name is not required as you must reside within the City of Kamloops municipal boundaries to be eligible to complete this form.
• Signature of Elector: this must be hand signed. Digital signatures are not permitted.

Examples of acceptable name format: “John Smith”, “John Andrew Smith”

Examples of unacceptable name format: “J. Smith”, “John A. Smith” - initials are not permitted.

Example of acceptable address format: “7 Victoria Street West, V2C 1A2”

Example of unacceptable address format: “7 Victoria Street West” - address must include a postal code.

If a form is not completed correctly, it may be rejected.

The non-resident elector response forms require residents to complete four fields:

• Elector’s Full Name: this includes the elector’s first and last name and must be printed legibly. No initials are permitted.
• Address of Property Owned in the City of Kamloops: this includes the house number, street name, and postal code and must be printed legibly. The city name is not required as the property you own must be within the City of Kamloops municipal boundaries to be eligible to complete this form.
• Residential Address: this includes the house number, street name, town/city in British Columbia, and postal code and must be printed legibly. The town/city name is required for this field as you must reside outside of the City of Kamloops municipal boundaries but within the province of BC to be eligible to complete this form.
• Signature of Elector: this must be hand signed. Digital signatures are not permitted.

Examples of acceptable name format: “John Smith”, “John Andrew Smith”

Examples of unacceptable name format: “J. Smith”, “John A. Smith” - initials are not permitted.

Example of acceptable address format: “7 Victoria Street West, V2C 1A2”

Example of unacceptable address format: “7 Victoria Street West” - address must include a postal code

Example of acceptable address format: “123 Anywhere Street, Penticton, V2C 1A2”

Example of unacceptable address format: “123 Anywhere Street, V2C 1A2” - address must include a town or city name.

If a form is not completed correctly, it may be rejected.

Completed elector response forms must be submitted and received at City Hall using one of the following options, by 4:00 pm on Friday, September 13, 2024:

• mailing them to Legislative Services, City Hall, 7 Victoria Street West, Kamloops, BC V2C 1A2 (postmarks not accepted)
• dropping them off in person at City Hall between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday (closed on statutory holidays)
• depositing them into the external drop box at City Hall (near the front door)
• emailing a scanned copy to legislate@kamloops.ca

Once submitted, the forms are securely locked in a fireproof filing cabinet. The forms are numbered and the information is entered into a password-protected spreadsheet, which will be filtered periodically by name and address, to ensure no duplicate forms have been submitted. The Corporate Officer and the Acting Deputy Corporate Officer will ensure fairness and compliance. The Corporate Officer is an official officer of the municipality whose duties are outlined in the Community Charter, Division 5, Section 148.

As per section 86 of the Community Charter, Corporate Officers are responsible for certifying whether elector approval was received.

If less than 8,713 forms are received by 4:00 pm on Friday, September 13, 2024, the Corporate Officer does not need to review and certify individual elector response forms.

If the number of elector response forms received by the deadline exceeds the 10% threshold (8,713), the Corporate Officer must review and certify the individual forms to determine the form was completed properly and signed by an eligible resident or non-resident property elector.

An elector response form must be rejected when:

• an elector signed more than one form
• an elector is determined to be ineligible
• more than one non-resident property elector signed a form in relation to the same property
• a non-resident property elector signed a form in relation to a property owned in whole or in part by a corporation.

The results of the alternative approval process will be presented to Council on September 24, 2024, at the regular Council meeting.

If elector assent is obtained for either or both of the proposed bylaws—that is, if less than 8,713 elector response forms are submitted to the City—then the City may adopt the loan authorization bylaws and proceed with the long-term borrowing. If elector assent is obtained for only one of the proposed bylaws, that bylaw may be adopted and the other bylaw may proceed to referendum, however that decision would be made by Council at that time.

If elector assent is not obtained for either or both of the proposed bylaws—that is, if more than 8,713 valid elector response forms are submitted to the City—then the City cannot proceed with the long-term borrowing without first holding a referendum. As there are two separate loan authorization bylaws, there are separate elector response forms for each and the totals will be calculated separately. If elector assent is obtained for only one of the proposed bylaws, that bylaw may be adopted and the other bylaw may proceed to referendum, however that decision would be made by Council at that time.

Under the Community Charter, local governments such as the City of Kamloops may use an alternative approval process to directly engage citizens about a proposed bylaw or other matter requiring elector approval.

An alternative approval process is an alternative to a referendum. A referendum is a longer process which is costlier to taxpayers, estimated at approximately $200,000. The Build Kamloops alternative approval processes allow electors 46 days (July 30–September 13 at 4:00 pm) to submit an elector response form if they are in opposition to the long-term borrowing proposals put forward to fund the construction of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts and an arena multiplex. The threshold to defeat the bylaw is 10% of eligible electors, which has been estimated at 8,713 people.

An alternative approval process also allows Council the opportunity to bring the bylaws to referendum following an alternative approval process. The decision threshold in a referendum is a majority, meaning 50% + 1 of all ballots cast would determine the result of the referendum.

Referendums are one way municipalities can receive approval of the electors to take on long-term borrowing, as outlined in the Local Government Act. The public is asked whether or not they support the borrowing to support a project, not whether the project is required.

The need for an arts centre has been long-established in strategic plans dating back to the 2003 Cultural Strategic Plan. This need was reconfirmed through community engagement for the 2019 Recreation Master Plan, where it emerged as the highest priority need in the community.

In 2015, the borrowing to construct a Performing Arts Centre and Parkade was defeated, with 53.7% of voters opposed to the borrowing. In 2020, residents were getting ready to vote on a new proposal to fund the construction of the Kamloops Centre of the Arts when the Province cancelled the referendum due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2020, over 17,500 new residents have moved to Kamloops, the need for an arts centre has grown, and the design has been advanced. On February 7, Council authorized funding to advance the preliminary design through validation and detailed design, which will provide cost certainty and construction-ready drawings.

Council is currently seeking electorate approval to borrow up to $275 million to build the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, design and build the Arena Multiplex, and advance other Build Kamloops initiatives.

Kamloops has used the AAP process for a number of projects, some of which include:

• 2003 - Water treatment center - $30,000,000
• 2012 - Wastewater Treatment center approx. $25,000,000
• 2015 - Overlander Bridge work $9,300,000
• 2012 - Tranquille Road upgrades - $2,400,000
• 2014 - Kamloops Resources Center – Owl Road Landfill - $10,000,000
• 2014 - Columbia Street 3rd–6th Avenue upgrades - $2,090,000
• 2012 – Landfill Gas Collection System - $2,420,000
• 2012 – Connect Campbell Creek to Kamloops Centre for Water Quality - $3,214,000
• 2014 – North Shore Community Policing Office - $1,550,000
• 2013 – Pulp Mill Sanitary Force Main - $2,979,500
• 2013 – Highland Drive Widening - $3,342112