North Shore wants the new performing arts centre but doubts City will build it there

NEWS — The North Shore wants the performing arts centre but doesn’t have high hopes it will be built there, says the executive director of the North Shore Business Improvement Association.

Steve Puhallo, speaking on CBC Daybreak Kamloops today, said there doesn’t seem to be much focus from the City on the North Shore as a possible location.

“We just haven’t seen them coming on the North Shore and saying ‘Let’s put it there,’” Puhallo told CBC news anchor Doug Herbert during a Daybreak Kamloops show focused on North Shore issues and businesses.

The City recently purchased the Kamloops Daily News building on Seymour Street downtown area for a parkade, performing arts centre or new City Hall.

“We would love to see it on the North Shore,” said Puhallo. “We hope they put it on the North Shore. We doubt they’ll put it on the North Shore. It’s not going to make or break the North Shore.”

Mayor Peter Milobar, speaking later on the program, told CBC the KDN property is “first and foremost” for a parkade but a public-input session a year ago indicated people want a performing arts centre close to restaurants and other amenities.

He said the Henry Grube site on the North Shore “realistically” presents a number of challenges, including ownership and impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.