
The BC Urban Cafe at Kamloops Airport. (Photo via Paul Nazareth/Google)
Kamloops Airport is in the process of trying to find a new operator for the restaurant inside the terminal.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) has been out for the past month with airport management looking to find someone to take over the space occupied by the BG Urban Grill restaurant, which closed at the onset of the pandemic in early 2020 and never reopened.
Speaking on NL Newsday, YKA Managing Director, Ed Ratuski, says the RFP isn’t related to a lawsuit against the current restaurant operator seeking more than $165,000 in unpaid rent.
“I certainly can’t comment on any kind of commercial relationship we have an operator here but I can comment and say that we are committed to making sure that passengers in Kamloops and the international passengers and visitors coming in have first rate food services,” Ratuski said.
“That was in the works anyway to really offer the guests coming through our airport the best possible food services they can offer.”
According to the RFP, YKA management are looking for people who are interested in the commercial development of a “non-exclusive, local or nationally-branded, quick service, multi-unit café concession lease” at the airport.
“The successful proponent will be responsible to develop, implement and carry out a plan of service that adheres to prescribed regulations, while providing the highest level of food & beverage services at YKA,” the RFP notes.
If all goes to plan, airport management expect to pick a new restaurant operator by February 1, with the contract set to commence by April 1 at the latest.
At this time, its unclear when the terminal restaurant will open.