In a move that redefines the idea of a recreation centre, the City of Kamloops and the Thompson-Nicola Regional Library are teaming up to bring a full-service library branch into the heart of the future arena multiplex in the Dufferin neighbourhood.

Part of the City’s ambitious Build Kamloops initiative, the new facility won’t just offer skating and sports. It will house books, digital resources, community programs, and even the popular “Library of Things,” making it a true community hub for southwest Kamloops—one of the fastest-growing and previously underserved areas in the city. “Gone are the days where you just put up a couple sheets of ice and call it a day,” said Councillor Kelly Hall, Chair of the Build Kamloops Committee. “We wanted to create a facility that was more than just a rink. When TNRL approached us, it all came together really nicely.”

The integration of a library into a recreational facility isn’t entirely new—similar partnerships in cities like Kelowna and Mission have shown that the concept can work well. Still, it’s a first for Kamloops, and a big step in how the city thinks about public infrastructure. “We want to maximize our potential and build something that offers community-wide value,” said Hall. “This isn’t just for hockey players and figure skaters. It’s for families, for learners, for seniors—everyone.”

The library branch will also have access to bookable community rooms, opening up the space for programs, meetings, and daytime use beyond sports. Officials say this is a smart, multi-purpose approach that makes the most of every square foot. “This is about more than just making room for a library,” Hall added. “It’s about making room for community.”

TNRL Board Chair Barbara Roden echoed that sentiment, saying the new branch builds on the success of the tiny library currently operating out of Aberdeen Mall. “The positive response to the Aberdeen Tiny Library, and the number of people using it, shows the need and desire for library services in this area,” said Roden. “We are thrilled to add this permanent library, which will support accessibility, connection, and lifelong learning.”

When asked whether the project might capture more casual users—people who might not typically set foot in a library, but are waiting around the arena and may then pop into the library – Hall said it’s going to create tremendous opportunity for the citizens of Kamloops. “To have the community facility that has, not only a library, but also rooms that could be used for societies or different programs that come available… it’s wonderful for the community.”

Hall says the city is also exploring future possibilities for the multiplex, including commercial or retail components. “We want this to be a gem—not just for Kamloops, but for the entire Interior of BC.”

Construction could begin as early as spring 2026, pending final validation and design phases. “The sooner we can get shovels in the ground, the better,” said Hall.

As Kamloops continues to grow and evolve, this bold partnership between sports and learning signals a broader vision—one that reimagines what community spaces can be.