Tourism Kamloops is hoping discussions around a Performing Arts Centre in the city can include space for meetings and conventions.

CEO Beverley Desantis says first and foremost, the city needs a performing arts centre, reiterating the unequivocal support from Tourism Kamloops for one. But she says she’d like further public uses to be included in those discussions.

“When I talk about flexi-space, it’s within the planning of what has been proposed but considering perhaps the way the seating is done, or the way the structure in its entirety is actually built out.”

Desantis says the city is occasionally having to turn down large-scale events that want to come to Kamloops because there isn’t enough space available. She also says she doesn’t think it would be prudent to build a stand-alone conference centre.

“This is a conversation that surrounds a performing arts centre, if we’re building this beautiful building, to support our arts. I just hope in planing, to consider how else we can utilize this building to make it more of a public space and support the arts.”

Local businessman and philanthropist Ron Fawcett said earlier this year he and his wife would donate $8-to-$10 million dollars if the city builds a performing arts centre downtown.