$90-million price tag for performing arts centre ‘a huge number, admittedly’

So far, on paper it looks like children’s building blocks, but plans are taking shape for a $90-million performing arts centre in the Kamloops Daily News building — and it will likely be put to taxpayers for approval in a referendum.

The plan — the result of a consultants’ study — was unveiled Thursday night as a “preliminary business case” in front of about 130 people in the Parkside Lounge.

The KDN site on Seymour Street, purchased by the City a year ago, was recommended over sites at Thompson Rivers University and the Hotel 540.

Core of the plan is a 1,200-seat main theatre, but the centre as envisioned would include a 350-seat “black box” theatre, rehearsal space, expansive lobby and on-site “desirable amenities” such as a restaurant.

The complex would cover 97,600 square feet and include a 350-stall parkade with two levels of underground parking.

Mayor Peter Milobar admitted the price tag — nine times the estimated cost when the City began talking seriously about a new arts centre a dozen years ago — is hefty. In fact, he said, it’s “a huge number, admittedly.”

Milobar said a referendum is “likely,” because “the community ultimately needs to let us know if they want it or not.”

The estimated cost includes land acquisition, design, contingencies, amenities and $26 million for the parkade.

As outlined, however, local taxpayers wouldn’t be on the hook for the whole cost. Grants and naming rights would bring in $10 million, with a reserve fund adding $25.5 million. Milobar said a one-per-cent tax increase in 2016 would raise $950,000 and another one per cent in 2017 would bring in $1.9 million. After that, there would be no further compounded tax increases but $1.9 million a year would come in through 2020 when the centre opens. Gas tax funds, infrastructure funds, casino funds and parking revenues are also part of the picture.

Construction would start in 2018, with opening in 2020. Detailed drawings haven’t been done yet. A $900,000 annual operating subsidy would be needed. Any surplus from that would go into a capital reserve.

Copies of the report were handed out at the end of the meeting, and it’s now also available online at the City’s website. A second meeting is scheduled for April 18 to receive public feedback.

The report, produced by MHPM Project Leaders and Proscenium Architecture, says the Daily News site is being recommended because it meets or exceeds criteria for the project including adding downtown parking and City ownership of the facility.

For the complete report, overview and slide show, go online http://www.kamloops.ca/arts/performingartscentre.shtml.