LETTER – Build first, explain later — the real story behind the arts centre

The news that the performing arts centre (PAC) cost has climbed to $211 million shouldn’t surprise anyone—least of all City Hall.

The AAP capped borrowing at $140 million, but the project cost can rise far above this as long as the City finds the extra money through reserves, grants, land sales, or current and future tax-funded budgets.

This is what happens when a city council signs off on blank-cheque borrowing and relies on a 2019 business case that was never updated. The project became a “build it now” situation—advanced without an adequate site assessment, updated financials, transparent planning, or a real public vote.

Many KCU members support a PAC— but the mishandling brings us to where we are now. Since the failed 2015 referendum, Council decided it would be built and offered an unfamiliar AAP to ask whether residents approved the $140M in borrowing it required.

In a letter written by Councillor Mike O’Reilly and published on the CFJC website on Oct. 7, 2022—one week before the election—he said:

“My hope is that the next city council will be able to complete a funding study to fund the Recreation Master Plan. The fundraising study will take a closer look at provincial and federal grants that may be available, as well as the potential corporate donations that could be realized. Only then should we bring forward a referendum to our residents.”

As the Chair of Build Kamloops, O’Reilly abandoned the steps he said were essential — a funding study and a referendum — and advanced the city’s largest project without either one.

Why did the City approve $7 million in February 2024 for detailed design — based on a privately funded concept — before updating the business case, validating costs, reassessing the site, or seeking taxpayer approval? Architectural renderings should be concepts, not commitments. By adopting the design first and planning later, the City made premature commitments that created financial lock-in.

City staff recently said that cost increases would be covered by shifting money between reserves, the gaming fund, and community works. This isn’t a financial plan — it makes clear that the project was approved without basic safeguards.

A council’s job is oversight — not rubber-stamping — and when oversight collapses, the result is spiralling costs, after-the-fact justifications, and taxpayers left to bear the consequences.

Since July 2024, many residents have repeatedly asked: Where is the updated business case? The cost model? The risk analysis? The operating projections? None have been published. The 2019 business case was based on timelines that never happened, with outdated assumptions justifying major borrowing without a proper public review.

Slope conditions, excavation depth, remnants from the Daily News building, underground utilities, parking limitations, a constrained site footprint, and the absence of any publicly disclosed archaeological impact assessment all point to the need for full site evaluation before construction. These are issues that normally lead cities to pause and confirm that the chosen site is appropriate and cost-effective.

Cities like Kelowna are following proper planning steps consistent with standard municipal planning frameworks: updated business cases, site assessments, concept options, cost validation, feasibility studies, risk analysis, grant funding, public consultation, and detailed design — before committing to construction.

Residents also deserve clarity on the role of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts  Society. For a project of this scale, communities typically see evidence of fundraising leadership early on. Kamloops has seen none.

With a tax hike looming, rising municipal costs, and slowing population growth, City Council must act in the best interest of residents — pause the PAC, complete the proper steps, provide current information, and hold a referendum at election time.

Kamloops Citizens United (KCU) has launched a public petition at: openpetition.org/pac

Some may feel it’s too late, but the petition numbers can gauge public approval, show residents are engaged, and add context for voters in the next municipal election.<

This is not a “no” to a performing arts centre. It is a responsible pause to ensure residents rightfully receive current, accurate  information to make an informed decision in the vote that should have been provided from the beginning.

COLEY ECKER
Kamloops Citizens United