Kamloops City Council has unanimously approved a comprehensive funding plan to complete the restoration and improvement of St. Andrew’s on the Square, over a year after a fire damaged the city’s oldest public building. The 137-year-old heritage site, a cornerstone of the community’s history and culture, is now slated to reopen in early 2026.

The approval unlocks $302,000 from City reserves to cover restoration cost overruns, replace uninsured contents, and implement a range of improvements that go beyond insurance coverage.

“Now that it has happened, how do we want this building to move forward?”

That was the guiding question, according to City staff, as they outlined a broad plan to not only restore the historic building but reimagine it to better serve the public with improved accessibility, functionality, and security.

Dusan Magdolen, Cultural Services and Events Manager, explained to Council, “This horrible thing has happened, but now that it has, how do we want this building to move forward and serve the community for years and years to come?”

A Fire That Could Have Been Much Worse

St. Andrew’s Church, originally constructed in 1887 using local wood harvested from what is now Riverside Park, caught fire on May 2, 2024. Thanks to the swift response from Kamloops Fire Rescue, the flames were largely contained to the southwest corner and the attic, saving the majority of the wooden structure and many of its historic artifacts.

While the structure survived, damage from smoke and water affected nearly every room — including the main sanctuary, kitchen, office, and basement. The original hardwood flooring, for example, was unsalvageable.

“Unfortunately, because of the fire mitigation and the sprinklers going off, the flooring was ruined and has been pulled out,” staff confirmed in response to a question from Councillor Stephen Karpuk.

What Insurance Covered — And What It Didn’t

The City’s insurance policy will cover $752,000 in core restoration costs, including structural repairs, fire-damaged materials, and necessary building code upgrades. It also covers HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and drywall repairs.

However, key contents — like tables, chairs, sound equipment, furniture, and historical décor — were not covered under the insurance due to a documentation gap that emerged during the 2022 transition of stewardship from the Kamloops Heritage Society to the City.

“There wasn’t a perfect accounting of what contents were in there,” said staff. “So it was underinsured for contents.”

In response, Council allocated $52,000 to replace furnishings and equipment, along with $32,000 for cost increases mostly tied to HVAC and roofing materials.

Going Beyond Restoration: Accessibility, Technology, and Heritage Upgrades

The bulk of the City’s funding—$218,000—will go toward upgrades aimed at making St. Andrew’s more inclusive, functional, and secure:

• Accessibility: Wider doors, improved entry ramps, and a redesigned washroom layout that includes a gender-neutral washroom and a new janitor’s closet, separate from storage accessible to renters.

• Technology: Fibre internet and a new sound system will support hybrid events and live streaming, a significant upgrade for weddings and cultural programming.

• Security: Fob access will restrict public entry to sensitive areas like the basement and janitor’s room. Four exterior security cameras will be installed—something the building lacked at the time of the 2024 fire.

• Heritage Alignment: Finishes will be upgraded to be more period-appropriate, with vintage lighting, hardwood flooring in the sanctuary, and historically inspired décor sourced from the Kamloops Museum and Archives.

The restoration plan was developed in consultation with the Kamloops Heritage Engagement Group and the Kamloops Heritage Society, both of which supported the upgrades. “This is about making sure it’s not just rebuilt, but rebuilt better,” staff noted.

Timeline to Reopening

Restoration work officially began earlier this month with long-lead items like HVAC equipment already ordered. Architectural drawings for permits will be finalized by August 1, and construction is expected to begin by late August. The building is projected to reopen in January 2026, pending no construction delays.

While weddings and community events continue to be relocated, many in the community — including couples who booked the venue years in advance — are holding out hope for an early 2026 celebration at the historic site.

Council Raises Concerns About City-Wide Asset Protection

Several councillors used the occasion to raise broader concerns about the City’s readiness to protect heritage and recreational facilities.

Councillor Mike O’Reilly questioned whether this was an opportunity to strengthen fire suppression further, while Councillor Karpuk asked about using fire-resistant “intumescent paints” to mitigate future risk.

Other concerns were raised over security.

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson asked, “So how many other facilities do we have right now that are not protected… with security cameras?” Staff acknowledged a gap in asset protection and promised to report back with a full inventory.

“We probably have quite a few assets right now that aren’t secured,” said O’Reilly. “If we don’t have any security on them… we’re just doing it over and over.”

With no councillors opposed, the funding plan was approved unanimously.