LETTER – What we think about performing arts centre doesn’t count
Conceptual drawing of proposed PAC.
Today when reading Castanet News it is said that the City of Kamloops is considering allocation of $7 million to complete the final designs for the Art Centre.
As a citizen of Kamloops I have seen at least three referendums whereby the need for an arts centre was turned down by the people of Kamloops and yet according to todays news the City has spent money through the years for plan development etc.
If there was always the intent of having this centre no matter what the citizens of Kamloops have said why waste our money on referendums? Just tell what we think doesn’t count as we are doing this like it or lump it.
I believe the citizens of Kamloops are not fully informed as yes we have this grant or contributors but the conversations never include how much this will cost us in taxes to finish or maintain these projects.
BERNADINE COVEY
Editor’s Note: A referendum on the performing arts centre was defeated in 2015. A second referendum, on a scaled-down version, was scheduled for 2020 but cancelled due to COVID. The news story you saw is based on a report coming to tomorrow’s meeting of the Build Kamloops committee. Check in tomorrow (Monday) for an editorial I’m writing on the subject.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
If our city taxes are being raised 11 % ish just to run the city properly (which is taxing us out of kamloops ie : started at 75$ and now 200$+), then we can’t afford this center. I used to go to the sagebrush theater all the time. Now I haven’t been able to afford to go for 5 years or so. I will definitely not be avle to go to this center at all. I know seniors who would’ve liked to go won’t be able to. How about doing something for the addictive, abused, or even our endangered seniors? If we can’t keep swimming pools open for the health of our children, then we don’t need an art center only the well off can go to. This makes me furious 😠.
LikeLike
It’s unfortunate that council won’t listen to you if you try to speak about your important perspective on the PAC at the public council meetings. Might there be some way you could start out a presentation by mentioning the Gaza issue, so that council won’t interrupt you, and then segue into your disapproval of the PAC?
Actually, this is a message to anyone intending to speak in front of council on a given issue. Start off every presentation by mentioning Gaza, so that you’re given free reign to speak, then slowly start adding in bits about your topic. I’d wager it would take quite some time for council to catch on to what was going on. If they do eventually catch on to the Gaza truck, find out what topics they personally support, and start off the presentation with that, and likely get another few months of no points of order. Wash and repeat.
LikeLike
This seems to be a place fully supported by the wealthy folks who make decisions at City Hall. “What is the vision for Kamloops for 15 years from now?”, I heard a Councillor ask when he was interviewed. Jen Fretz made the TV news today and the implication appeared to be is that the PAC is a foregone conclusion, come “hades or the Thompson River at flood stage”.
Please try to put yourself in the soles of the worn out shoes most seniors are wearing. We can hardly afford to hang on now to make it day to day living here. You wealthy folks (making in the neighbourhood of $150K to $300K a year) have got to stop dreaming up more ways to spend money.
You don’t have a handle on social problems, especially dealing with the folks downtown who sleep in a tent and their pantry is a dumpster behind a restaurant. Will they ever be allowed in your precious PAC that will be within easy walking distance from that dumpster they use for a food source?
Pardon the seniors and those on fixed income for speaking out.
LikeLike
No John, don’t apologize. Your voice and the voice of excluded seniors needs to be heard by council.
You are right. The outrageously paid administrators at the city are completely out of touch with the concerns and plight of regular people. These elites at city hall are spending this town into oblivion and are paying no mind to the financial burden they are inflicting on us.
The same goes for council. Most are wealthy. Financial disclosures for council should be mandatory, so we can figure out just how out of touch they are from the reality of most residents.
They can’t understand why someone can’t manage 11% tax increases year over year because that has disproportionately less impact on a $300K salary than a $30K salary.
Council is starting a PR campaign in an attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of the community on the PAC. Council is shapeshifting into salesmen. Be very careful when listening to someone trying to sell you something.
LikeLike
Council members are required to file a financial disclosure once a year.
LikeLike
First of all, in a free and open society proposals can be put forward at any time, multiple times at that.
Back in 2015 they supposedly had a plan, including drawings and the financials all figured out. Now they need an additional 7 millions to do much the same. Why not at least re-use the drawings and overall financials albeit updated to the realities of post-COVID supply chain issues? I am not against a PAC, just against the head-scratching murkiness of this whole thing…almost a charade at times.
And at 120 millions-plus? On top of all the other “needs” identified in the Build Kamloops scheme?
Sure looking forward the editorial on the subject.
LikeLike
I was disgusted as well by the blatant disregard for the voice of Kamloopsians who voted ´no’ in the Arts Centre Referendum. The City staff’s request for a commitment from the Kamloops taxpayer of $7million is an affront. We have dire needs, street-people freezing in the dark for one, and to ask we borrow $7million for a ´rendering’ for a project expenditure that has been rejected by the electorate is an affront.
LikeLike
What exactly are you suggesting? That a portion of municipal taxes or facilities money be dedicated to providing shelter to people who choose to self-harm? They shouldn’t be freezing because there are already enough shelters. They just choose to not go there because of “rules” and “expected behaviours”. Beggars can’t be choosers. If you have a concern, open your home to the street people. Year round. It’s too cold. It’s too hot. It’s too wet. You must lead by example. You have space on the sofa, basement, spare room etc. Or donate your time and money down at The Loop, a nuisance property on Tranquille that specializes in neighbourhood degradation.
LikeLike
There has never been a referendum or question put to the people as to whether or not they ‘want’ a Performing Arts Center … ever. And there will never be, thats not how it works.
Kamloopians have been asked (only once btw) if they agree with a particular financial plan, that includes what the tax paying citizens will have to pay for … and thats it.
Even if a particular financial plan is disliked by the voting public, and it is voted down (as what happened last time) … in absolutely no way or shape does that ever mean we dont ‘want’ a PAC – as we are never asked that – it just means we dont like that deal.
In the future, someone else is more than welcome to put together another deal and try again … and again … and again. Thats how democracy works.
You do however have an argument regarding Council spending design and planning money on it … just as you have the right to argue any other expenditure by Council, like a street light, or homeless shelter etc.
LikeLike
How have you seen at least 3 when there has only been one?
LikeLike