The Desert Gardens Seniors Community Centre at 540 Seymour Street. (Photo via Google Maps)
The long-awaited Kamloops Foundry Centre will be located in the ground floor of the Desert Gardens building downtown, after a sizable donation from the Desert Gardens Seniors’ Community Centre (SCC), valued at around $3-million.
Interior Community Services (ICS) was already operating its Community Living BC programming out of that location at 540 Seymour Street, and Associate Executive Officer Sadie Hunter says they developed a relationship with the Seniors’ Community Centre during that time.
“Everything came together in a way that made sense,” Hunter said, on NL Newsday.
“ICS was looking for additional space for Foundry Kamloops. We were looking downtown, so when we asked an enquired if the space would eventually be available, there was some discussion and conversation and that led to where we are today.”
ICS was picked to operate the Kamloops Foundry Centre in 2022, and they’re currently expected to begin operations in 2026.
“Our community and youth engagement groups identified the downtown core as the ideal location to deliver Foundry Kamloops programming. This location is perfectly situated, accessible, and visible,” ICS Executive Officer Val Janz said.
“We are extremely grateful to the SCC, led by Penny and Seiko Ouchi for providing this opportunity to ICS and to Kamloops and area youth between 12-24, and their caregivers, who will access critical services and supports in this space.”
“We know ICS is dedicated to honouring the work of the SCC and carrying the legacy of community partnership forward in a way which also supports the end use of the space,” SCC President Penny Ouchi added.
“This partnership is the true definition of community, and we could not think of a better way to honour the legacy of the Seniors’ Community Centre.”
Hunter says ICS is grateful for the “very generous and transformational donation” telling Radio NL they’re aiming to raise $2.5 million to cover the roughly $4 million needed to renovate the space.
“Private donations, foundations, we’ll be applying for some capital gaming dollars. Anyway that we can move forward and reach our goal of $2.5 million, that is what we’re open to,” Hunter said.
The fundraising campaign is supported by a committee that includes among others former Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian, NSBIA Executive Director, and ICS Board Member, Jeremy Heighton, Joshua Knaak of Arpa Investments, and A&T Developments Principal Frank Quinn.
“Youth and caregiver feedback is clear: Having a place like Foundry Kamloops in our community is critical,” Foundry Kamloops Manager Lisa Johannesen said. “A space focused on preventative, low-barrier, and integrated services for young people. A place where young people can feel welcome, safe, and included.”
“With everything from the design of the Foundry Kamloops space to future programming being informed by our Youth and Family Advisories, we are creating a space that is for young people, by young people.”
