Welcome to Your Kamloops!

Another Important Question about Civility in Kamloops...

 

This week, Kamloops hosted a wonderful visitor. Her name is Sara Hacala and she is the author of a book called "Saving Civility". I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a round table discussion about civility with about 20 fellow citizens and Sara last night. This was one of several events Sara keynoted / presented /participated in while in Kamloops.

The roundtable was quite amazing actually. People shared heartfelt and honest stories and insights. This was a community gathering taken to a whole new level, in my view. I really appreciated people's willingness to talk authentically. We spent about two hours chatting and listening to Sara's insights.

Sara shared with us how passionate she is about the topic of civility. And, at the end of our time together, she asked a really important question. What's next for Kamloops? Now that we have had an almost weeklong series of events talking about promoting and supporting civility, how do we keep working on these skills in our valley?

Do You Think We Need a New Performing Arts Centre in Kamloops?

Tomorrow, Saturday Feb 23d, from 10am to 1pm at the Tournament Capital Centre, City hall is asking for your input on a potential new performing arts centre for Kamloops. Members of the arts community have long advocated for this centre and city council has supported the concept in the community strategic plan. I've also heard from people who have strong concerns about this project would be funded and who don't want taxes increased. What do you think?

 

Parking Kiosks Replacing Meters Downtown? Parking rates increasing? Have your Say...

For the past 14 months, along with Councillor Marg Spina, I've served on the Kamloops Downtown Business Improvements Association's (KCBIA) Parking Solutions working group. The issues we worked through included creating more convenient, accessible short term parking in downtown Kamloops and a longer term desire for a third downtown parkade.

City Council endorsed the KCBIA taking the lead in proposing solutions to downtown parking issues. As the process has unfolded, other community groups have provided input or venues for input. The Kamloops Voters Society, for example, organized a public forum. The KCBIA has produced a parking solutions report and has quite a comprensive parking webpage on its website.

Some of the most visible recommendations working their way through this process: to replace 800 parking meters downtown with 9 parking kiosks / pay stations and the first increase in downtown on street parking rates since 1994 (from 50 cents an hour to a dollar an hour).

If you would like to learn more about the proposed parking changes and/or want to provide input, please get in touch with me - [email protected] or 250 574-3509. Another great opportunity is the city sponsored public information / input meeting next Tues, Feb 26th:

Tuesday, Feb 26, 2013

DOWNTOWN ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS
On-street Parking Solutions & Lorne Street/1st Avenue Upgrade
Interior Savings Centre, Parkside Lounge
7 pm

Please attend a public input session on proposed on-street parking solutions. View the new parking technology planned to replace existing parking meters. Learn about the new parking strategy to enhance customer service and parking options.

Also at this meeting, the City will be presenting a concept design on improved traffic flow between Riverside Park and the downtown area. This will include changes to the intersections at Lorne Street / Lansdowne Street / 1st Avenue, and Victoria Street and the addition of pedestrian-friendly open space.