A cherished Kamloops heritage site is undergoing a significant transformation as the City of Kamloops prepares to launch the next major phase of restoration work at St. Andrew’s on the Square.

Damaged by fire in May 2024, the city-owned building will soon be revitalized with a blend of modern functionality, accessibility upgrades, and heritage preservation. Officials say the project has now reached a stage where the community will start to see visible progress on-site. “The fire is what brought this situation forward and the need for this project,” said Matt Kachel, the City’s Infrastructure Delivery Divisional Manager. “But it also created an opportunity for things to be refreshed.”

While most of the fire’s impact was limited to the exterior and attic, the building’s interior suffered smoke and water damage. The restoration process—expected to be complete in early 2026—goes far beyond repairs, with upgrades focused on safety, comfort, accessibility, and event functionality.

Key Improvements

Among the changes being implemented:

• Structural Repairs: Damaged siding and roofing are being replaced, while electrical, emergency signage, and audio/visual wiring systems are being modernized.

• Accessibility: The redesign includes automatic door openers, an improved entrance ramp, widened doorways, and a new gender-neutral, accessible washroom.

• Event Readiness: A renovated kitchen with new appliances and fixtures will better support public events, along with improved lighting, climate control, and updated furniture and audio equipment.

• Heritage Features: Period-appropriate finishes such as crown moulding, coordinated trim, and heritage-style flooring and lighting will help retain the building’s historic character.

The work is being carried out in consultation with the Kamloops Heritage Engagement Group and the Kamloops Heritage Society. “It’s one of the oldest buildings in Kamloops, so it does have heritage value and we wanted to preserve that as much as we could,” Kachel said.

“But the inside of the building had already been significantly changed over the years. That actually gave us more flexibility, because the updates we’re making don’t take away from the original heritage—and they address outdated renovations that weren’t accessible.”

Balancing History with Modern Needs

Built in 1887 using lumber from James McIntosh’s Shuswap Milling Co., the former Presbyterian church is the oldest public building in Kamloops. It hosted its first service on Christmas Day and later became Calvary Temple under Reverend Phil and Pastor Jennie Gaglardi. Acquired by the City in 1991, St. Andrew’s underwent its first major restoration in 1997.

Now, with lessons learned from the 2024 fire, the City is embracing the chance to do more than just repair. “Instead of putting things back the way they were, we’ve been able to redesign certain spaces—like the washrooms—to be more inclusive and accessible,” said Kachel. “Insurance covers the core damage, and the City is covering sensible upgrades wherever we can.”

Navigating Challenges

Like many heritage restoration projects, the road hasn’t been without complications. “At the start, things moved a bit slower,” Kachel acknowledged. “This wasn’t a planned project—it came out of an emergency situation, and because it’s an insurance job, there’s a lot more complexity.”

Despite the hurdles, work has now gained momentum, and residents can expect to see increased activity at the site in the coming weeks.

Completion Timeline

The project is on track for completion in early 2026, with the building expected to reopen for community bookings in the spring. “We’re aiming for early in the new year—originally we were hoping for around Christmas, but more realistically, it’ll be early January,” Kachel confirmed. “It will definitely be available for use in the spring.”