Reimagine Downtown! Participate in Shaping the Future of Downtown Kamloops

Release Date

The City of Kamloops is inviting residents, businesses, and community partners to take part in Reimagine Downtown!, a public engagement initiative that will help guide the next phase of planning and revitalization for downtown Kamloops.

Planning for downtown Kamloops builds on a long history of community conversations. Downtown Kamloops has long been guided by a shared vision of being the city’s civic, cultural, and economic heart. This vision was refined through the Downtown Plan (2019), which introduced updated policies and design directions related to development, public spaces, mobility, and economic vitality.

The Downtown Plan also identified several major Big Moves—catalyst projects and key redevelopment sites intended to shape the future of the downtown core. Since then, other municipal initiatives, including the Recreation Master Plan (2019), You are Here Kamloops Cultural Strategic Plan (2024), KAMPLAN: City of Kamloops Official Community Plan (2025), and the Active Transportation Plan Update (2025), have continued to influence how downtown Kamloops evolves. In addition, the Build Kamloops program has emerged as a transformative initiative, delivering major civic investments that are actively reshaping land and activity patterns and enhancing our downtown's activities and economy.

Reimagine Downtown! is an opportunity to bring these plans together and explore how downtown streets and public spaces can better support people, businesses, and community life today and into the future while aligning with projects and initiatives within the Downtown core, including the Kamloops Centre for the Arts.

Community members are encouraged to participate through both in-person and online engagement opportunities:

In-Person Community Engagement Sessions

  • Date: May 4, 2026
  • Time: 6:00–8:00 pm
  • Location: Delta Hotel, Rivers Room East, 540 Victoria Street
     
  • Date: May 9, 2026
  • Time: 8:30 am–12:30 pm
  • Location: Kamloops Farmer’s Market, 300 block St. Paul Street

Online Engagement

Input from the community will play a critical role in shaping a downtown that reflects local needs, supports economic vitality, and strengthens downtown Kamloops as a vibrant place to live, work, and gather.

Community input will help explore ideas and identify priorities, including:

  • enhancing the pedestrian experience while supporting adjacent businesses
  • continuing to support vehicle access, parking, loading, and circulation
  • integrating cycling, micromobility, and other active transportation modes
  • improving street character through attractive paving, furnishings, plantings, and lighting
  • incorporating gateways, public art, and other placemaking elements
  • supporting community activity, such as markets, block parties, and festivals

The feedback received will be used to support the development of a downtown revitalization plan to guide streetscape upgrades and public open space for our downtown. The final plan will be presented to Council after a second round of community engagement scheduled for Spring 2027. 

For more information and to participate online, visit LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/ReimagineDowntown.