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A New Proposed Plan for a Performing Arts Centre in Downtown Kamloops

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On Tuesday, January 8, 2019, local Kamloops philanthropist Ron Fawcett presented "A New Plan for a Performing Arts Centre in Downtown Kamloops". The plan, a culmination of 18 months of work with architects, theatre designers, and engineers, was privately funded by Fawcett and details his vision and plan for a proposed performing arts centre.

"It's transformational in terms of downtown Kamloops," said Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian. "If this can go from the drawings to the ground, I think that we will have a performing arts centre that will be the envy of the Interior and I think it will be good for the economy of Kamloops."

Proposed Design Details

View conceptual renderings, floorplans, and site plans

  • 83,200 square foot Main Theatre building
    • Three theatres with complete sound separation that allows all three to have performances running at the same time.
      • 1,200 seat theatre to be home of symphony performances, larger theatre productions, travelling shows, and school productions. Features include:
        • fly tower
        • full catwalk
        • orchestra shell to enchance symphony productions
        • full orchestral pit
        • state-of-the-art lighting
        • option to isolate lower 800-seat portion only
      • 450 seat theatre to be home of Western Canada Theatre's productions, recitals, and other group uses. Features include:
        • fly tower
        • full catwalk
        • state-of-the-art lighting
      • ​75-100 seat black box theatre suitable for Western Canada Theatre productions currently featured at the Pavilion Theatre.
    • Large, spacious lobby area - all three theatres have separate entrances yet share the large central lobby and washrooms
    • Ticket office
    • Café and outdoor seating area
  • 20,000 square foot Annex/Amenities building donated by Ron and Rae Fawcett
    • Western Canada Theatre offices, costume areas, and set construction
    • Kamloops Symphony offices and music school
    • storage space for arts groups including Kamloops Art Gallery
    • Rehearsal halls
    • Common areas and meeting spaces
  • 36,000 square foot underground parking (70 spaces)

Fawcett is supported by the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra (KSO), Western Canada Theatre (WCT), and Kamloops Art Gallery (KAG), as well as other user groups. Fawcett and his wife Rae would personally cover the costs of obtaining the TELUS Annex building, designing its use, and total construction costs of this building; a donation of approximately 8-10 million dollars.

Council received this proposal for information with the intention to consider the vision during its strategic planning session.