Kamloops Performing Arts Center - 7 questions to help you make up your mind

The City has received a number of questions about the Performing Arts Centre and Parkade. We want to share the most common to inform voters for the November 7th referendum.

7 questions to help you decide

Performing Arts Centre & Parkade FAQs

1. Why is the City proposing a parkade and performing arts centre (PAC) complex?

There‘s a shortage of theatre space and parking in our city centre. Building an underground parkade with a performing arts centre above meets our needs and makes full use of the property.
Adding performing arts with sport tourism allows us to diversify and compliment our local economy. The complex will attract performers with speci!c requirements on venue and seating capacities. And local performers will bene!t too with access to full production theatres and rehearsal halls.

2. How does this impact my property taxes, what will it cost me?

There are two phases; a 1% tax increase in 2016 and again in 2017. That results to a 2% increase - about $38/year - in property taxes for the average household for the next 20 years.

3. What if construction costs go up?

The City is asking to borrow up to $49 million and if costs go up the project won’t proceed unless more funding is made available from other levels of government, grants or donors.

4. What capital projects, like roads and sidewalks, will be deferred as a result of the PAC?

None. This project will be funded by federal government grants, gaming and parking revenues, donors and tax dollars outside of the City’s capital plan budget.

5. What will it cost to operate the PAC and how is it paid for?

Once it is built there are no additional costs to the taxpayer. The annual operating cost for the PAC is estimated to be no more than $900,000 which is covered by the 2% tax increase.

6. Who would run the Performing Arts Centre?

A not-for-pro!t society would operate the facility and report to the City. This is becoming the model of choice in municipalities across Canada. The society will be expected to operate the Performing Arts Centre as a business.

7. What will be the economic spino!?

The economic spino" is estimated at $11 million annually to the local economy due to new productions, ticket sales, increased tourism, new jobs and goods and services.

Authorized by the City of Kamloops
For more information please visit www.kamloops.ca/imagine