Kamloops City Council has taken another step in preparing for the April 4th referendum on a new Performing Arts Centre.

As the city gets ready to ask if the public is willing to take on a $45 million loan, Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian says it’s had the first three readings of a loan authorization bylaw, which is part of the process. “That will be held in abeyance until the result of the April 4th referendum and then if there is ascent from the electors we would act upon that and then reach out to the municipal finance authority for that kind of a loan as and when construction warranted us having the money in hand.”

Christian says this was another step along the way. “This council has been, to this point, unanimous in terms of its support of this project and that will continue on now to the inspector of municipalities. He’ll approve the referendum question and then will be able to start the mechanics of essentially running another civic election.”

The Arts Centre is proposed for 4th Avenue and was also discussed as part of the new downtown plan that was adopted this week.