Five things to watch for in Kamloops in 2026

As 2026 approaches, so are a handful of changes and new projects coming to Kamloops over the next year.

In the past couple years, city hall spending lined up several construction projects amid the ongoing turmoil at city council.

Meanwhile, the city is also hosting major events and developments that will change the face of downtown Kamloops.

Here are some new things to keep an eye out for throughout the next year.

OUTDOOR SKATING

The first is a new skating rink coming to Riverside Park. The long-anticipated ice sheet means recreational skaters can enjoy the downtown park at temperatures up to 8 C. Like Kelowna’s Stuart Park rink, no hockey will be allowed, but it will offer a unique winter skating experience among Riverside Park’s green space and towering trees along the banks of the Thompson River.

An exact opening date hasn’t been announced, but it will welcome skaters after the new year. Skate rentals won’t be available until at least next winter, when it’s expected to remain open from December through to March.

MULTIPLEX ARENA

Riverside Park isn’t the only place to see preparation for new ice sheets. The edge of Kenna Cartwright park along the Hillside Drive will see construction start in the spring, where a new arena will rise and host four hockey rinks.

Preparation and design work is still ongoing, but construction is expected to start in late 2026. Once completed in 2029, it’ll be the first addition of indoor ice rinks to the Tournament Capital of Canada since 1992.

MUNICIPAL ELECTION

It’s no secret Kamloops city hall has been uniquely turbulent over the past few years, but October could stable the ship.

The Oct. 17 election is so far anticipated to have at two names on the ballot for mayor with councillor Mike O’Reilly making a bid to unseat the incumbent Reid Hamer-Jackson. There are rumours of others who may join the race, but none of made any announcements.

Hamer-Jackson’s term as mayor has been marred with an unending series of conflicts with other city councillors, city staff, non-profits and at least one local business owner. Both he and city hall have racked up legal bills well over $1 million, while Hamer-Jackson has remained a constant in headlines over three years of news feeds.

Hamer-Jackson plans to run alongside a group of like-minded council candidates, so the October election could see a race between the Hamer-Jackson camp and his dissenters.

DOWNTOWN’S TALLEST TOWER TO OPEN

The largest-ever development in downtown Kamloops will soon see its first residents move in. Kelson Group’s City Gardens is expected to open the doors to its 24-storey tower by spring.

With plans for 525 homes among two towers and four mid-rise buildings, the project was estimated in 2021 to cost $200 million. Covering almost an entire city block between Battle and Nicola streets, its completion, along with the nearby performing arts centre, will transform the downtown Kamloops.

The first tower, Trillium, will open in early 2026. The second, dubbed Alyssium, recently reached its 20-storey cap and could open in late 2026. It’s not clear when construction will start on the smaller six-storey buildings.

BC 55+ GAMES

More than 2,500 participants will come to Kamloops in September for the annual BC 55+ games. Hosting senior athletes from across the province, they’ll compete in 27 sports over five days, with three new sports added to the event.

The games come four years after Kamloops hosted a national version of the same event.

With events including badminton, hockey, curling, cribbage and triathlon, along with the new five-kilometre trail run, cornhole and grave biking, athletes will compete at venues across the city from Sept. 8 to 12.