Another yes vote for the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, this time from the Kamloops Sports Council.

In a statement, Henry Pejril, the President of the Kamloops Sports Council says the arts community has had a long history of being a part of major sporting events in Kamloops, often joining forces to put on community events.

Pejril says sports community in Kamloops has seen first hand what enhanced facilities can do in the city.

“The 2003 Tournament Capital referendum was a response to pent up demand. It produced new facilities that allowed sports organizations to flourish by striving for – and achieving – major sporting events,” he said.

“The increase in sport tourism as a result of the Tournament Capital expansion is measurable and significant, as are the new levels of hosting capacity Kamloops has achieved. We have grown both in the brick and mortar facilities and the human experience and capacity.”

Pejril says the Sports Council sees several similarities between the Tournament Capital Referendum and the Centre for the Arts referendum.

“The Arts Community has pent-up demand that needs to be addressed if they wish to grow and thrive. The Centre for the Arts will address existing need and allow for growth of existing programs,” he said.

“The potential of the new facility to extend the reach and capacity of our Arts and Culture community is exciting and real and we look forward to even higher levels of engagement between Sports and Cultural events.”

He says the Kamloops Sports Council Board of Directors is encouraging all of its member organizations and residents in the city to vote in favour of the Centre for the Arts referendum on April 4.

Several other Kamloops organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, SD73, Tourism Kamloops, and Downtown Kamloops are also encouraging people to vote ‘yes’.