Tourism Kamloops is urging city council to consider the long-term economic potential of a purpose-built convention centre, saying the project could help stabilize the city’s tourism sector and unlock millions in new spending.

Presenting a detailed feasibility study alongside a formal delegation, CEO Erik Fisher said the opportunity is both immediate and significant, particularly as British Columbia looks to expand its tourism economy over the next decade.

“Kamloops must act decisively if we want to share in this,” Fisher told council, pointing to a new provincial strategy that aims to double B.C.’s tourism economy to $48 billion in visitor spending.

Untapped potential beyond summer

Kamloops welcomed nearly two million visitors in 2024, generating a record $316 million in direct spending. But Fisher emphasized that the city’s tourism economy remains heavily seasonal, with hotels often less than half full from November through March.

“October through May is peak convention season—and it’s the exact months we’re trying to fix,” he said. “More often than not, these conventions happen mid-week as well.”

The feasibility study, conducted by CBRE and Spruce Labs, found that a convention centre could generate roughly 28,000 additional hotel room nights annually and inject about $14 million per year into the local economy.

Business travellers, Fisher noted, are especially valuable, often spending up to four times more than leisure visitors.

Proposed facility and costs

The proposed convention centre would span approximately 55,000 square feet, including 30,750 square feet of rentable event space and an 18,000-square-foot ballroom designed to host major conferences.

Plans also include flexible meeting rooms and space that could be used for an art gallery or museum, allowing for broader community use beyond conferences.

The estimated capital cost is $89 million, not including land or parking. The facility is expected to operate at a modest loss initially—projected at about $527,000 in its first year, declining to roughly $411,000 by year five.

Fisher stressed there is currently no formal funding request before council.

“If there was, there would be no expectation for the City to foot the entire bill,” he said, proposing a funding model split between senior governments, the municipality, and private partners.

He added that the city could retain ownership of the facility, with a third-party operator managing day-to-day operations and Tourism Kamloops leading sales and marketing.

Downtown location preferred

A downtown location emerged as the top option in the study, largely due to proximity to hotels and the ability to create a walkable experience for visitors.

Councillor Mike O’Reilly said he sees the project as a strong fit with the city’s cultural district, but raised questions about whether it could compete with Kamloops’ “Tournament Capital” brand or impact hotel pricing.

Fisher said the markets are distinct.

“It’s a totally different audience. I don’t think that one cannibalizes the other,” he said. “We only have so much capacity in July and August. This is about filling the gaps in the shoulder seasons.”

Partnerships and coordination

The project is being explored in partnership with Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Corporation, the economic arm of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, which participated in the study’s working group.

Councillors raised questions about potential overlap with development plans on Tk̓emlúps land, but Fisher said collaboration will be key.

“I’d be very careful not to speak for them, but they were an active participant,” he said. “I think they would be one of the first groups we’d reach out to for partnership.”

Broader community impact

Beyond tourism, Fisher framed the convention centre as a catalyst for broader economic and social benefits—from supporting small businesses to creating new career opportunities for local residents.

“These convention centres are going to happen either way—whether they’re in Kamloops or elsewhere,” he said. “Our challenge is keeping our existing businesses sustainable year-round.”

He also pointed to tourism’s role as a major employer, particularly for youth, and said the project could help future generations build careers in the city.

“I want my kids to love where they grew up,” Fisher said. “I want them to have families here and invest here.”

Next steps

While council did not make any decisions, the presentation signals the early stages of what could become one of the city’s largest infrastructure projects.

Next steps could include forming a working group, refining design plans, and exploring funding partnerships at multiple levels of government.