Performing arts centre referendum: Are you in favour of a $49M debt?
KAMLOOPS – Are you in favour of the City of Kamloops borrowing up to $49 million to design and construct the parkade and performing arts centre complex? That will likely be the official question of a fall referendum.
A steering committee looked at several questions and came back recommending this one because it was the 'clearest and simplest.' The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development also found the question acceptable but preferred to add that the action is to adopt a loan authorization bylaw.
After reviewing possible voting dates, the committee recommended Nov. 7. As per provincial legislation all referendums must be held on Saturdays.
The public was presented with the cost and subsequent debt of the performing arts centre on April 9. A contentious issue going forward was the cost of the centre including a parkade. While the whole project has a preliminary estimate of $90 million, $25 million of that is for a parking structure. Council agreed previously the referendum question had to include the construction of a parkade because it cannot be separated from the initial building.
City council is expected to make the decision this week at the regular council meeting Tuesday, May 26.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Dana Reynolds at dreynolds@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
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9 responses
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Brian AlexanderThe Sagebrush doesn’t cut it for most serious theater goers. Renovating it is just throwing good money after bad. It isn’t filled because there are no professional productions and it is not a first class venue.We aren’t wealthy, we appreciate and support the arts. Unfortunately there will always be people who can’t afford to see good, professional theater. It is a great privilege to see a Broadway Play or the National Ballet. I think more people would be able to enjoy it once in awhile, like we do, with out the added expense of traveling elsewhere. The poorest citizens of Kamloops aren’t paying property taxes are they? Most cities with.Performing Arts Centers have free shows, or pay by donation, or free for kids shows. So, I don’t buy the argument that it is just for the wealthy. The Arts is for everyone.Performing Arts have an important positive social impact. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have shown that an abundance of arts in a city leads to lower poverty rates, more civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare. A flourishing arts community gives young people an option to being raised solely by pop culture and videos.Arts are good for local merchants. Local people who attend arts events,pay for meals, parking, babysitters beyond the cost of admission. Theater goers who live outside the city spend twice as much as locals. This is valuable revenue for local businesses that keeps the Kamloops community prosperous and alive.The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They elevate, exhilarate and inspire us and bring us together.
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When Sagebrush Theatre is completely booked month after month and standing room only then maybe – maybe consider building an Arts Center.There are several other ways to put to use our tax dollars!
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that is a very noble view Linda, though consider its always those who can afford to pay extra taxes n fee’s that have no problem promoting idea’s such as these. have you ever gone a day without food, or have to have your lights or heat turned off? in this day and age in the current condition of the world, I’m sure we can find ways to enjoy art in the city without having to build a 100 million monstrosity that will be limited to certain sizes of events, larger evens still have to go to the larger venues. a simple sound system and air condition upgrade of sagebrush for a hundred grand could go along way in quality of plays and performances of sagebrush. it almost appears they are neglecting sagebrush intentionally just to create the mandate to build this monstrosity…I only call it a monstrosity because of the costs…you or I could build a similar building for a million or two that would equal the current designs, though because its bureaucrats built, its costs are grossly exaggerated….like the 5 million dollar side walk.
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We still need a Performing Arts Center here in Kamloops for so many reasons. I would like to see Kamloops grow into a vibrant, healthy, cultured community that enhances the quality of life for everyone and advances our identity as a great place to live. We, like so many others travel to Kelowna, Vancouver, Edmonton and Prince George to see plays, dance, theater and concerts. If we had a real Performing Arts Center here we would have kept our money here. We want to attract, doctors, health care professionals, and other professionals and this will center will help do this. A Performing Arts Center will attract visitors, promote tourism. Visitors that will stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, shop in local stores and provide business opportunities to new and existing business. Arts and culture tourists spend more and stay longer that other travelers. We need to value and support our artists by giving them a place to perform and recognizing the role the arts play in our daily lives. When we promote and cultivate the arts then our lives and our children’s lives will be richer.
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