The mayor of Kamloops is watching the public reaction over the new downtown performing arts centre concept with interest.
Ken Christian says all the finite details of the performing arts centre proposal are being worked on as part of the city’s overall strategic vision to be tabled in a few weeks.
“I think these are early days. We just heard from Ron and Rae Fawcett a couple of weeks ago now. So that matter is in the hands of our administration and it was discussed at our strategic planning retreat that we had. That will be out in about six weeks in terms of our vision for the next four years.”
That said Christian says people need to adjust their thinking about the performing arts centre.
“People need to realize that there are two advantages to a performing arts centre. One is that it can help us develop our local artistic talent here. Secondly it can help us attract larger acts. That in turn fills hotels, fills restaurants, it helps us in terms of the economy. The arts helps the economy it is not this drain that some people have portrayed it as.”
He says the other big part of the conversation will determining what the city’s share will be, the land? or maybe some kind of tax deferral system? Or something else?
