Kamloops Philanthropist Makes Bid to Resurrect Proposed Performing Arts Centre

Image: Kamloops This Week.

On January 8, during a meeting of Kamloops City Council, philanthropist Ron Fawcett offered millions of dollars in land and design plans to resurrect a proposal for a performing arts centre in the city, which voters rejected in 2015.

The proposed centre would be 103,000 sq. ft., cost $70 million to build, and would include three theatres with nearly 1,800 seats between them. The building also includes cafe areas, rehearsal halls, meeting spaces and office space, among other amenities. The Fawcett family would donate $8-10 million to the proposed effort.

“This is my past,” said Fawcett. “It’s also my future. I’ve got five kids. They all live in Kamloops. I’ve got 14 grandchildren here. They need this in their community. They need this centre. The community needs this centre.”

Mayor Ken Christian noted that the turnout in support of the project was “unprecedented.” Kamloops council voted unanimously to include the proposal as an item during strategic planning, to take place January 10 and 11.

For more information on the proposal, see this article from Kamloops This Week.