Kamloops has several major civic projects on the books, but they’re not solely meant to be left on taxpayers’ pocketbooks.

City hall is aiming to raise $40 million in combined funds to come from private donations, which will require a new city manager in charge of the fundraising, according to a council committee memo.

It’s not clear how much this new city manager will be paid to raise those funds, but it’s expected to be a temporary job and their wage will come from the donation pool.

Donations were always expected to help fund the downtown performing arts centre and now the multi-rink complex in Dufferin, but city staff are now planning to manage the overall effort.

A city council committee was briefed on the planned new hire on July 21, which comes a month after the city announced its partnership with the BC Interior Community Foundation to collect the $40 million.

Local non-profit, the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society, had lobbied for the facility since 2019 and was previously expected to lead its fundraising efforts. It appears city hall is now leading the charge as the overall Build Kamloops campaign is rolled into one.

Staff have collectively worked on fundraising with volunteers, consultants and “community partners,” but that’s been done in addition to staff’s other duties. According to the memo, staff have planned to hire someone for the job since last April, who would work with outside agencies and volunteers as they raise money for both projects.

The $211 million overall performing arts centre budget set a $20 million target for donations and sponsorships, with another $20 million hoped for the $154 million arena.

Earlier this year, Coun. Mike O’Reilly said millions in corporate donations were in the works, but they “walked” as the arts centre and arena faced delays. Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society executive director Brenda Aynsley, however, said they were on pause and weren’t necessarily off the table.

She has also told iNFOnews.ca the non-profit was arranging donations and courting corporate sponsors at least two years ago, but it’s not clear whether any major funders have committed to the projects.

So far, $1 million anonymous donation was announced for the arts centre last November. On July 21, the committee heard donations have totaled $2.5 million so far.

The BC Interior Community Foundation campaign is now open for online donations. Donations can be made to either project or the overall Build Kamloops project.

While the Build Kamloops campaign includes other projects that are further out, like a racquet sports facility and a curling club, those budgets haven’t been set. It’s not clear whether any excess funds will be held for future projects.

— This story was updated with donation totals and the source of the employee’s funding at 4:33 p.m., July 21, 2026.