LETTER – Countdown is on for the alternative approval process; vote No
(Image: City of Kamloops)
The countdown for the Alternative Approval Process is on.
DEADLINE: 4:00PM FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2024
CITY HALL, 7 VICTORIA STREET WEST
VOTE NO.
If you do not vote, you are considered a yes for the borrowing of $275 MILLLION DOLLARS:
$140 million for the Kamloops Centre for the Arts;
$135 million for the Arena Multiplex and Future Development
FACTS TO VOTE NO:
The City is stating that this debt load will be over 30 years. $25 per year for 5 years, then $125 per year in perpetuity.
Municipalities tend to borrow funds from the Municipal Finance Authority of BC. By using this organizations debt calculator, a $275m debt with an interest rate of 3.6%, 30 year term, the estimated annual debt payment is $15,140,036.
With a population of 100,000 people that is $151 PER PERSON PER YEAR FOR 30 YEARS.
Even with a population of 150,000 people the payment is still $100 per year and this doesn’t include any potential interest rate increases.
City of Kamloops has already approved a short term loan for $7 millions for project validation and detailed design plans
City of Kamloops has included an annual 1% tax increase in our taxes beginning in 2024 for the Build Kamloops Fund.
The increase with this debt load does not include the annual tax increases the City will impose over the next 30 years.
There is no updated feasibility study, business case since the Kamloops Centre for the Arts 2019 Business Case. Coun. Mike O’reilly has stated that he is not concerned that there is not a business plan.
The proponents for the Performing Arts Centre have had years to raise funds by conducting a capital project fund campaign. They have not raised one dime – except for the donation by Ron Fawcett.
The Alternative Approval Process is flawed. The process that the City of Kamloops is following is the same process that caused the City of Nanaimo to cancel their own Alternative Approval Process TWICE.
There is a pending civil case before the BC Supreme Court regarding the alternative approval process.
Last year, the City of Burnaby attempted to use the AAP to convert 8.5 hectares of parkland into an organic waste facility. Council pulled the plug on the AAP last year due to community backlash, and Mayor Mike Hurley said he NEVER WANTED TO USE THIS PROCESS AGAIN.
DEADLINE: 4 PM FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024
VOTE NO
In person at CITY HALL, 7 VICTORIA STREET WEST
OR get forms online at:
https://www.kamloops.ca/our-community/news-events/public-notices
PAT CARLSON
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Would it be so bad to take another year or six months to fully inform residents? Taxpayers have just had to absorb a 9.55% tax increase. Can you blame people for wanting more facts before committing to a $275 million debt?
The public hasn’t been consulted and is still in the dark about future tax expenses in the form of equipment, maintenance, utilities, staffing, insurance and security to run the facilities. We need to know how Kelowna can build a PAC with more seating for $50 million less.
As to the facilities themselves: we can still have them. A referendum can still be held. If the AAP fails, it is an opportunity to inform and engage the community more fully. $275 million is a lot of money. Let’s slow down. A “No” vote will let us do that.
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I am in favour of the performing arts centre but am opposed to the use of the alternative approval process that the City of Kamloops is using.
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I like the idea of a new arts center, but I don’t read any opposition to the PAC. I do read lots of opposition to the process of AAP. I read disappointment to the city’s lack of discussion and public communications. This is a boat load of money, and being we already can’t afford the peanut butter or the jam, I am afraid I am sadly left to question the timing and affordability. More costs to come.
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#1 crime destination IN CANADA. Fix the basics before you spend hundreds of millions for a building in the middle of the chaos. Fix the streets and trails. Collect the damn recycling every week. Lower the taxes. So many issues need to take priority over this pet project.
And if you think artists are going to select Kamloops as a destination, think again.
If you think a doctor looking to change cities is going to prioritize a PAC over the crime rate as a deciding factor for themselves and their family, you need a prescription of amyl nitrate.
They’re going to see the drug addicts crawling around every street and immediately turn around and head elsewhere.
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I am so sick of the people who would do anything to kill the PAC but try to dress it up otherwise. God forbid we do anything to enhance the Arts in this community!
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We are not necessarily opposed to the pack or seeing it built. The numbers just don’t add up. Stop telling us we are against enhancing our community. Have you driven around the city lately? We need to clean up our streets before we built an arts centre which will only draw those who can afford it. Many can not with today’s inflation. For those who can there are many questioning this AAP process.
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