A new sign showing the proposed location for the Centre for the Arts in downtown Kamloops. (photo via Paul James)

The head of the Build Kamloops committee says he’s pleased with the turnout for their first — and possibly only — open house connected to the ambitious project.

Councillor Mike O’Reilly estimates around 100 people turned out for the two hour event on Tuesday.

“There was about 25 percent, I would say, that had their mind made up that this is the best thing ever. 25 percent of the people have their mind made up that no, this can’t happen. They’re the same 25 percent we see at every event that we host,” said O’Reilly.  “About 50 percent of the people there were there to just ask questions and just learn about what Build Kamloops is.”

The session was billed as an opportunity for people to learn more about the project, but did not provide an opportunity for people to have their say publicly about whether or not they support it, and their rationale behind it.

O’Reilly says it’s not clear if the City will put on another open house connected to Build Kamloops.

“This may be our only official open house, but we do have a Performing Arts Center event coming up on July 29th. That will be in the parking lot where the Performing Arts Center eventually will be built.”

The open house comes ahead of a planned vote on whether to authorize the City of Kamloops to borrow up to $275 million for the Kamloops Centre for the Arts and a planned 4-plex ice rink.

As to when the Alternative Approval Process — or reverse petition — might take place, O’Reilly says that is now in the hands of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

“They now have to look through the questions and say, ok, we would approve this or not. There’s enough information here, or there’s not. It’s a hurry-up-and-wait game for us. But we’ve been very clear from the outset with the Ministry that we do not want to be involved with the provincial election.”

The provincial election is scheduled for October 19th.

Expectations are the AAP is likely to be launched sometime in mid-to-late August.