McCorkell: New arts centre would complement Sagebrush

NEWS — A new performing arts centre will complement existing facilities in Kamloops, says parks, recreation and culture director Byron McCorkell.

Presenting his department’s annual report to City council today, McCorkell was asked for comment on the $260,000 request to council from his department for further studies on the new theatre.

The request is on council’s “supplementary” budget list that will be discussed at an upcoming public budget meeting.

McCorkell said the new theatre would complement the Sagebrush theatre because it will have a higher seating capacity — 1,200 to 1,500 compared to Sagebrush at 700 — and be able attract performers like Diana Krall who would play neither the Sagebrush nor the Interior Savings Centre.

He said ultimately the decision will have to go to a referendum but the public needs to have a clear idea of what they would be voting on.

“We know basically how big it needs to be, we know basically what needs to be in it, but we don’t know what it’s going to look like.”

He added, “Quite frankly Kamloops is one of the only communities that doesn’t have (a theatre like the one being planned).

“We wouldn’t be speaking as positively about the facility if we didn’t see that big picture. The opportunity for all the user groups is huge.”

He pointed out that the Tournament Capital Centre began with discussion of a “field house,” which had to be developed into a location, drawings and content that could be put to taxpayers for a vote.