CITY COUNCIL – Historic St. Andrew’s to be restored after last year’s fire

St. Andrew’s on the Square will finally be restored to its pre-fire glory but it won’t be cheap. Kamloops City council today (July 29, 2025) approved a plan that will cost more than a million dollars, most of which will be covered by insurance.

A fire in May 2024 — believed started at an outside wall by a street person — quickly spread inside causing extensive damage, including water damage throughout the building due to firefighting and its fire suppression system.

The restoration is getting underway and is expected to be completed early next year. Everything from baseboards to siding, exit signage, wiring, flooring and wallpaper is involved in the project.

Changes will be made to improve accessibility, modernize technology and “enhance heritage and era period characteristics through inspired design and alignment.”

The church was built in 1887 and in the 1990s barely escaped demolition by a previous council. In recent years it has been used as a community meeting and event facility.

Restoration costs will be covered to the tune of $752,000 in insurance, with $302,000 funded by the City.