LETTER – Chamber of Commerce urges ‘Yes’ vote on performing arts centre
Conceptual drawing of proposed PAC.
February 10, 2020
Letter to Mayor Ken Christian
RE: Letter of support for Kamloops Centre for the Arts
Dear Mayor Christian:
The Board of Directors of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce recognize the importance arts and culture add to a community’s vibrancy and is proudly in support of the proposed Kamloops Centre for the Arts.
Given the information presented in the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society business case, it is apparent that the current performing arts facilities are not able to meet the community demands. A new centre should help alleviate the current shortage of space and create opportunities for new business.
The economic impacts alone make this an important project for Kamloops. 565 full-time jobs will be created during construction, $2.9 million will be recurring annually and 31 ongoing direct or indirect jobs will come from this project. The Kamloops Centre for the Arts, as an added attraction in our city, will also be a long-term direct benefit for businesses and our members located in the downtown core and a long-term indirect benefit for businesses and our members throughout the City of Kamloops and the Thompson Cariboo region.
Our support of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts project requires that it be designed, constructed and operated in a fiscally responsible manner. As business owners and operators, our members make decisions every day to ensure their funds are utilized as efficiently as possible. We believe that taxpayer funded organizations must demonstrate the same manner of prudence. We firmly believe the Kamloops Centre for the Arts business case strongly demonstrates this level of prudence.
As the proposal moves toward the April referendum, we urge our members and residents of Kamloops to vote in favour of this project.
Quote:
Joshua Knaak, President of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:
“This project is an important one for Kamloops as arts and culture add to our community’s vibrancy. Now is the time to vote in favour of this project.”
Sincerely,
JOSHUA KNAAK
President, Board of Directors
Kamloops Chamber of Cmmerce
As does the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce support the Performing Arts Centre, I too want to support a strong business case that leads to a solid YES vote! But, I seem to have missed any media article showing a projected INCOME & Expense statement that shows how much income is anticipated – and how it will be applied to all anticipated expenses. Has anyone seen such a statement? (Balance Sheet + Profit / loss statement showing above). It should reflect revenues for a 16 hour day that reflects rental income for both theatres as well as the parking during the day and evening. I personally believe that building too few underground parking (to present us Taxpayers with a lower construction cost and thereby a smaller Referendum $ amount! is a big mistake! Kamloops has fallen for this scenario in earlier decades thereby creating, to a large extent, the too few “off street” parking spots. It’s possible I’ve missed this information as I’ve been away for some weeks.