Kamloops Prepares Four Reverse Referendums on $188M in Major Projects

The City of Kamloops is preparing to initiate four separate Alternative Approval Processes (AAPs), also known as reverse referendums, this fall to authorize borrowing for a series of major infrastructure projects. Together, these initiatives could total more than $188 million in new debt if all move forward. City officials say the projects address critical needs in policing, water and sewer infrastructure, and municipal operations.

The largest of the proposed borrowings ($96.2 million) would fund a new RCMP detachment building. The existing facility has been described as outdated and undersized for current policing demands, and the replacement would include modern facilities designed to accommodate growth in both staff and the broader community. The project is expected to be a multi-year build, with the city emphasizing the need for an operational hub that meets today’s safety and technology standards.

The second-largest proposal, $57 million for water treatment upgrades, would overhaul aging infrastructure to improve water quality, increase system reliability, and expand capacity for future population growth. City engineers have flagged the project as essential to ensuring Kamloops can meet provincial water standards and respond effectively to drought conditions or contamination risks.

Another $22.5 million is earmarked for sewer improvements along Tranquille Road, a key corridor in the city’s North Shore area. The upgrades are intended to replace aging pipes, reduce the risk of service disruptions, and accommodate new residential and commercial developments expected in the area over the coming decade.

Finally, the city is seeking $13.1 million for the purchase of property on McMaster Way. The acquisition would provide additional space for public works operations, including equipment storage and staging areas for future infrastructure projects. City staff say the property is strategically located and will help improve operational efficiency.

If approved by council in September, each project will proceed through the AAP process, allowing residents 30 days to register formal opposition. Under provincial rules, if fewer than 10% of eligible voters sign and submit opposition forms during that period, the city may proceed with the borrowing without holding a full referendum. If the 10% threshold is met, a binding public vote would be required.

City officials argue that moving ahead with these projects now will lock in lower borrowing costs before interest rates rise further and prevent more expensive emergency fixes down the road. However, some residents have expressed concern about the cumulative debt load and the use of the reverse referendum process for decisions involving such large sums of public money.