Darryl Dyck/CP
The BC Lions wrapped up Training Camp Thursday afternoon at the Tournament Capital Centre but the question remains will they be back?
The football club heads into the final year of a contract with the City of Kamloops next summer.
It’s a club option for 2027 at the end of a current three-year agreement. Changes brought on by the CFL will see the season start early next year – which could mean some logistical problems for hosting the camp at the Tournament Capital Centre and Dorm availability for players. That dorm space would still be in use by the student base.
“We love it here in Kamloops,” said franchise QB Nathan Rourke after wrapping up a final walkthrough before heading to Winnipeg for a pre-season finale.
“We feel very welcome and love the set-up at TRU. I’m hoping we can continue to be here in the future… I know with the season moving up might make things difficult but we love it here.”
Lions wrap up training camp Thursday afternoon
The Lions have made Kamloops their training camp home since 2010. As part of the contract, the City paid the football club $58,350 this year and $60,000 if the option for 2027 is triggered.
Any decision made will be from the business operations side. In a statement for the Lions they say they will look to work through logistical issues in the year ahead.
“Our focus is on 2026 and what is truly a special year with the BC Lions, starting with another tremendous training camp in Kamloops. At this stage, there are some elements that need to be worked through for 2027 and beyond. That will be an ongoing process.”
From a football standpoint, the Lions seem quite content.
“Tremendous weather and elite facilities,” said Lions General Manager Ryan Rigmaiden Thursday afternoon at Hillside Stadium.
“From an evaluation standpoint, this is the perfect place to do it. If it were up to me we’d be here a long, long time but we’ll let our President Duane Vienneau handle that. “
The Lions stint each May includes the popular FanFest event. This year they incorporated a celebrity flag football game.
Since 2010 the camp has not come without hiccups. A CFL labour dispute had an impact on training camp while wildfires in 2023 forced a lot of it to move indoors into the TCC.
