After much speculation local philanthropist Ron Fawcett will unveil his idea to resurrect the idea of a downtown performing arts centre in front of Kamloops Council this afternoon.

Councillor Dieter Dudy says in his mind Kamloops needs a downtown performing arts centre.

“I am fairly excited about the idea. I think that we needed to revisit it at some point in time. Whether this is the right time or not depends on what he proposes.”

Noting the failed referendum the last time the idea was tabled Dudy says the city made a mistake.

“I think the big mistake last time was we tried to shoulder the whole thing. Being that a performing arts centre would service the region I think you need to include other levels of government. You need to include some of the other agencies, like TRU for instance, and make it a project that is not just simply on the backs of the taxpayers of Kamloops so that it is spread out over the users.”

He says Kamloops needs to be more than just the Tournament Capital.

“I think any type of amenity that you can offer to a city is what helps define you. Performing arts are ultimately the things you are remembered for not just sports.”

Fawcett will make his plan public in council this afternoon before holding a press conference immediately after.