Regular Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

City Hall front exterior

Delegation

BC Crown Counsel Association

Adam Dalrymple, President, and Andrew Duncan, Secretary, BC Crown Counsel Association, provided Council with information on community courts further to a presentation at the 2025 Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference. The objectives of a community court were outlined and include creating a more efficient court, offering a broad range of services that address offenders’ needs, increasing offender accountability, and increasing public confidence in the court system. Some strengths of this model are the immediate response to criminal behaviour and the ability for individuals to quickly access resources.

KXA Provincial Winter Fair

Cara Haughton and local 4-H youth members invited Council to the 88th Provincial Winter Fair on September 18-20, themed Denim and Disco, with over 155 exhibitors participating across six projects: beef, sheep, poultry, rabbit, horse, and photography. Other events include:

  • Saturday, September 19 - 6th Annual Grapes & Grill grazing and tasting fundraiser event
  • Monday, September 21, at 10:00 am - live auction with product for sale

All events will be held at Circle Creek Ranch and Equestrian Centre at 2175 Running Horse Ranch Road. 

Consideration of Bylaws 

Housing Agreement for Purpose-Built Rental Housing

Council adopted Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 64-12, 2026, for the second phase (125 units) of social and affordable market rental housing at 523 Columbia Street. The building must be operated by a government, non-profit organization, or co-operative.

Read the full August 11, 2026, report here. 

Council Remuneration Bylaw

Council adopted Council Remuneration Bylaw No. 71, 2026, and Code of Conduct Amendment Bylaw No. 53-3, 2026, and repealed Council Policy GGL-3: Council Remuneration, Travel Expenses, Insurance, and Communications Allowance. The Council Remuneration Bylaw increases transparency around Council member compensation, clarifies applicable remuneration and expense processes, strengthens administrative certainty and accountability, and establishes a clear and consistent regulatory framework.

Read the full August 11, 2026, report here.

Reports to Council

2026 General Local Election Update

Alisha Beday, the City's Chief Election Officer, provided Council with an update on the upcoming general local election, including information on advance and general voting opportunities, special voting opportunities, mail ballot voting, and increasing accessibility.

Advance and General Voting Opportunities

Polling Place Street Address Neighbourhood
Advance Voting Day Polling Places - October 7, 10, and 14
Heritage House (Riverside Park) 100 Lorne Street  Downtown
McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre 1665 Island Parkway North Shore
General Voting Day Polling Places - October 17
Aberdeen Elementary School 2191 Van Horne Drive Aberdeen
Arthur Hatton Elementary School  315 Chestnut Avenue  North Shore
Arthur Stevenson Elementary School 2890 Bank Road Westsyde
Beattie Elementary School 492 McGill Road Lower Sahali
Brocklehurst Secondary School 985 Windbreak Street Brocklehurst

Dallas Elementary School		 296 Harper Road Dallas
Dufferin Elementary School 1880 Hillside Drive  Dufferin
Heritage House (Riverside Park)     100 Lorne Street Downtown
Juniper Ridge Elementary School 2540 Qu’Appelle Boulevard   Juniper Ridge
Lloyd George Elementary School 830 Pine Street  Downtown
NorKam Secondary School         730 12th Street North Kamloops
RL Clemitson Elementary School 5990 Todd Road Barnhartvale
Ralph Bell Elementary School 1764 Valleyview Drive  Valleyview
Rayleigh Elementary School 306 Puett Ranch Road Rayleigh
South Sahali Elementary School 1585 Summit Drive Upper Sahali
Westmount Elementary School 745 Walkem Road Westsyde

Voters may attend the polling location of their choice on voting day.

Mail Ballot Voting

The request form for mail ballot voting will be available on the City’s website (Kamloops.ca/Election) and at City Hall starting at 9:00 am on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, with the following deadlines:

Mail Ballot Requirement Deadline
Request the mail-out option Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm
Submit a request for a mail ballot package Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 11:59 pm
Pick up a requested mail ballot package from City Hall Friday, October 16, 2026, at 4:00 pm
Return a completed mail ballot package to City Hall by mail, drop box, hand, or delivery service Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 8:00 pm

Electors voting by mail are responsible for ensuring the Chief Election Officer receives their completed ballot and required documents at City Hall by 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Postmarked envelopes will not be accepted.

View the full memo.
View the presentation within the Council meeting slide deck.
Contact for further information:
Alisha Beday | 250-828-3483 | election@kamloops.ca

Kamloops Centre for the Arts Partial Risk Register Release

Matt Kachel, the City's Infrastructure Delivery Divisional Manager, provided Council with an update on the progress and financial performance of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts capital project to date. High-risk unencumbrance, excavation, and shoring activities are now complete, and the project is transitioning into the initial stages of building construction, with foundation work set to begin.

The project team has maintained construction momentum and kept the project aligned with its planned schedule and budget, and the project is currently forecast to be approximately $5 million under budget. Because borrowing is based on the amount required each year to fund construction, improved forecasting allows annual borrowing requirements to be adjusted as risks are retired and savings are confirmed. Over the life of a project of this scale, these adjustments can result in meaningful cumulative debt-servicing savings.

The Integrated Project Delivery model supports this level of review by bringing designers, builders, and trade partners together to determine who is best positioned to complete specific work efficiently and to a high standard. The partners deliver their work through a combination of self-performed services and open, transparent, and competitive tendering, and each contractor must provide detailed cost transparency and tender subcontracted work in a manner consistent with the City’s procurement practices. A number of tendering packages are being developed and are anticipated to proceed as part of the next phase of construction procurement.

If construction continues as planned, with risks mitigated or retired and tender results continuing to perform favourably, the final contract value may be reduced below the current target and potentially below $200 million. Under the Integrated Project Delivery model, the contractor does not automatically retain confirmed savings. Instead, they return to the project table, giving the City options that are not typically available under traditional delivery models, including reducing the contract value without reducing scope or accepting lower-quality alternatives. The Integrated Project Delivery model increases transparency, strengthens accountability, and creates additional opportunities for specialized firms, including local companies, to participate in the project. Because each major partner is contractually connected to the City and to one another, each party’s success is directly tied to the overall project’s success.

View the full memo.
View the presentation within the Council meeting slide deck.
Contact for further information:
Matt Kachel | mkachel@kamloops.ca

Arena Multiplex Validation

Matt Kachel, the City's Infrastructure Delivery Divisional Manager, provided Council with information on the Integrated Project Delivery model, the results from the validation phase of the arena multiplex project, and the final project scope and budget.

To ensure comprehensive and accurate project costing, staff adopted an Integrated Project Delivery framework for the arena multiplex project, prioritizing the assembly of a qualified team to achieve cost certainty, a well-defined scope, and high standards of quality and durability. The procurement process extended nearly 10 months, with each major builder and designer sourced individually. For the arena multiplex project, this included the architect, general contractor, structural engineer, structural steel trade, mechanical engineer, mechanical trade, electrical engineer, electrical trade, refrigeration engineer, refrigeration trade, steel stud/drywall trade, civil engineer, civil contractor, and geotechnical engineer. These 14 competitive procurement processes are all directly managed by the City.

The arena multiplex project validation phase began in January 2026 to determine how the desired scope of work could be delivered within an initial funding allocation of $140 million. The validated cost model includes three development scenarios, all of which include library space, as previously directed:

  • the base program of three NHL-sized ice sheets
  • the recommended program of four ice sheets - three NHL-sized and one mini rink
  • the future state with five ice sheets - four NHL-sized and one mini rink

The project’s base program has been confirmed at $161.6 million and includes all spaces required to program and operate the facility. The project is designed to allow for future expansion, which could include:

  • Mini Rink: $6.5 million: The mini rink offers a smaller-scale ice surface designed for skill development, learn-to-skate programs, and recreational play for all ages.
  • Additional indoor ice sheet: $20.1 million: An additional NHL-sized indoor ice sheet would provide year-round use, reliable ice conditions, greater user comfort, and increased scheduling flexibility for programs and events.
  • Outdoor ice sheet: $14.4 million: An outdoor NHL-sized ice sheet would be less expensive to construct and maintain than the indoor option, making it a cost-effective option for seasonal and recreational use. However, it would be weather-dependent, which could limit the operating season and affect ice quality during warmer winters.

During the Committee Reports portion of the meeting, Council authorized proceeding with the recommended program of four ice sheets—three NHL-sized rinks and one mini rink.

View the full report.
View the presentation within the Council meeting slide deck.
Contact for further information:
Matt Kachel | mkachel@kamloops.ca

Support for Thompson-Nicola Regional District Funding Application for Feasibility Study

Danielle Sparks, the City's Environmental Services Supervisor, provided Council with information on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District's application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund under the Accelerating Capital Circularity in Construction Materials program to undertake a feasibility study titled "A Roadmap to Circularity: Optimizing Construction, Renovation, and Demolition Diversion in the Rural Thompson-Nicola Regional District." The feasibility study would:

  • assess current construction, renovation, and demolition waste generation and disposal practices
  • evaluate opportunities for material reuse and recycling
  • test and refine the Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s construction, renovation, and demolition diversion toolkit with local builders
  • identify infrastructure, policy, and regulatory opportunities to improve diversion

As the largest municipality within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, Kamloops plays an important role in regional waste management and generates a significant portion of the region’s construction, renovation, and demolition waste stream. The City’s participation in the feasibility study would provide valuable operational data and information from municipal facilities, including the Mission Flats Landfill and the Kamloops Resource Recovery Centre.

Council resolved to support the Thompson-Nicola Regional District's application through staff collaboration and authorized staff to submit a letter of support confirming the City's participation in the proposed feasibility study.

View the full report.
View the presentation within the Council meeting slide deck.
Contact for further information:
Danielle Sparks | dsparks@kamloops.ca

Public Engagement Opportunities

Council received an update on upcoming community engagement opportunities, as listed below.

Featured Engagement Opportunities

  • Love Your City: The Love Your City campaign is focused on voter engagement and ensuring residents are well informed ahead of the municipal election this fall.
    • Visit upcoming pop-up events to learn more about the role of municipal government and win prizes:
      • Thompson Rivers University Back-to-School BBQ, September 11, 2026, 9:00 am–3:00 pm
      • Valleyview Block Party, September 12, 2026, 10:00 am–3:30 pm
      • Downtown Farmers’ Market, September 12, 2026, 8:00 am–1:00 pm
      • Downtown Farmers’ Market, September 16, 2026, 10:00 am–2:00 pm
    • Learn more at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/LoveYourCity.

Advocacy Update

  • Minister and ministry, agency, commission, and corporate staff meeting requests for the September 14–18, 2026, Union of BC Municipalities Convention have been submitted. The City has secured 10 meetings with ministers, including a meeting with the Premier, as well as 13 meetings with ministerial staff.

Community Collaboration Activities

  • Red Bridge Anniversary event is taking place on September 19, 2026, 10:00 am–12:00 pm at Pioneer Park.
  • The City is once again inviting residents to submit their best photos of the places, spaces, activities, and events they love most in Kamloops for a chance to be featured in the 2027 City Calendar and other major publications. The submission deadline is 4:30 pm on September 29, 2026. For more information or to submit photos, visit Kamloops.ca/Calendar.
  • The City and Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc are co-hosting activities for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2026, 10:00 am–4:00 pm. September 30 is a day for reflection, remembrance, and healing for our Indigenous hosts. Activities will include education, food, and vending at the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc Arbour, 345 Powwow Trail.
  • The Heritage Engagement Group is seeking one individual interested in serving on the Heritage Engagement Group on a voluntary basis for a minimum two-year term. Learn more and apply at Kamloops.ca/EngagementGroups.

Awards and Recognition

The City has received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the City of Kamloops Financial Plan 2026–2030 Budget Book. This award represents a significant achievement in meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting, from among over 1,900 participants.

Follow On Let's Talk Website

Subscribe to ongoing projects to be notified when engagement opportunities arise:  

Notices of Motion

  • Councillor Middleton presented a Notice of Motion: Alternate Site Options for the RCMP Building, which will be considered at the September 22, 2026, regular Council meeting.
  • Mayor Hamer-Jackson presented a Notice of Motion: Release of Council Communications Concerning the Mayor, which will be considered at the September 22, 2026, regular Council meeting.
  • Mayor Hamer-Jackson presented a Notice of Motion: Build Kamloops Financial Review and Pause, which will be considered at the September 22, 2026, regular Council meeting.
  • Mayor Hamer-Jackson presented a Notice of Motion: 48 Victoria Street West – Service Consolidation and Municipal Parking, which will be considered at the September 22, 2026, regular Council meeting.
  • Councillor Bass’ Notice of Motion: Municipal Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Municipal Decision-Making, which was presented at the August 11, 2026, Council meeting, was considered.  In response, Council resolved:
    • that Administration approach Thompson Rivers University to explore how the Researcher in Residence Program, jointly funded by the City of Kamloops and Thompson Rivers University, can work with the City’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and with the Accessibility Engagement Group to review municipal policies, programs, and services and to identify further opportunities to support equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in the public realm, in civic facilities, in City operations, and in areas beyond municipal jurisdiction; and
    • that at the conclusion of this work, a summary report be drafted and reviewed, inclusive of the above groups, that features prioritized, implementable recommendations for integration into City policy, planning, and budgeting, and with identified areas of opportunity for Council advocacy, is presented to Council.
  • Councillor Sarai's Notice of Motion: Expanding Pickleball Opportunities Through Shared Use of Existing Recreational Facilities, which was presented at the August 11, 2026, Council meeting, was considered. In response, Council directed City staff to:
    • review the utilization of the 18 existing outdoor tennis courts and identify opportunities for shared-use pickleball court markings and programming at locations where tennis court demand and usage patterns would support such an arrangement;
    • evaluate existing outdoor lacrosse and ball hockey boxes and other multi-purpose sport court facilities throughout Kamloops to determine their suitability for shared-use pickleball courts;
    • continue to work collaboratively with the Kamloops Pickleball Club to identify and evaluate City-owned lands or other suitable sites that may be appropriate for the future development of a dedicated indoor pickleball facility, and identify potential partnership opportunities to advance such a project; and
    • report back with recommendations, estimated costs, potential funding sources, implementation timelines, and any operational considerations associated with expanding pickleball opportunities through shared-use tennis courts and selected outdoor lacrosse and ball hockey facilities.

Committee Reports

In response to recommendations from the August 18, 2026, Committee of the Whole meeting, Council authorized staff to:

  • apply for the Trade Diversification Corridor Fund for the short-term improvements to the Ord Road dangerous goods route and provide overall grant management and reporting if the Trade Diversification Corridor Fund application is successful.
  • include short-term items from the Truck Route Network Study and the Seymour Street Conversions Study in the 2027–2031 Five-Year Financial Plan subject to Capital Prioritization.
  • bring forward changes to the Traffic Bylaw and Transportation of Dangerous Goods Bylaw to Council for consideration once the short-term improvements on Ord Road have been completed, with commencement to occur within 0-2 years.
  • include medium- and long-term items from the Truck Route Network Study and the Seymour Street Conversions Study in the next update of the Transportation Plan.
    View the related August 18, 2026, report here.

In response to recommendations from the July 21, 2026, Closed Build Kamloops Select Committee meeting, Council authorized proceeding with construction and commissioning of a three‑ice-sheet arena multiplex with library at the identified Hillside Drive location at a budget of $161.6 million (with the $4.5 million library costs to be recovered from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District) and directed Administration to proceed with an indoor mini rink at a budget of $6.5 million.

Councillor Reports

In response to Councillor Sarai's report, Council resolved that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request the Province of British Columbia to undertake a comprehensive, independent review of fuel pricing discrepancies in the province to determine the causes of persist regional price disparities and publicly report its findings; and that the Province identify and implement any legislative, regulatory, or policy measures necessary to improve transparency, competition, and fairness in fuel pricing to ensure consumers across the province are paying equitable fuel prices that reflect the economics of their region.

Correspondence

Council reviewed correspondence received from Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and resolved to postpone consideration of a letter of support for the 7Mile Rail Project until there is an opportunity for Council to meet with project representatives to gain a better understanding of the project.

Unfinished Business

The regular Council meeting reconvened following the 7:00 pm Public Hearing, and Council authorized staff to forward the application for exclusion of 2105 Tremerton Drive from the Agricultural Land Reserve, and to include the public hearing minutes, application fee, and all other required documentation, to the Agricultural Land Commission.