Council to debate $200,000 temporary platform for Memorial Cup

KAMLOOPS — On Tuesday (March 27), Kamloops city council will debate spending an additional $200,000 to complete needed work at the Sandman Centre ahead of the Memorial Cup.

“Through ongoing discussions with Canadian Hockey League officials, TSN broadcast officials, and the Kamloops Blazers Hockey Club, there is an additional requirement to build a temporary elevated platform located at the east end of Sandman Centre concourse,” reads the report on the item. “This elevated viewing area is required to create some private suite spaces for Canadian Hockey League officials, sponsors, broadcast and media partners, and individual team executive spaces as well as space for the TSN Broadcast Centre.”

The need for the additional space comes just months before the tournament is scheduled to begin.

“This requirement was not identified by the Canadian Hockey League during previous facility discussions and became more apparent as we worked towards a venue hosting plan that satisfied all requirements from a broadcast and team hosting perspective,” continues the report.

If approved the funding for the temporary platform will come from the gaming reserve and therefor would not effect taxation in the city.
The proposal will be debated at the 1:30 p.m. meeting on Tuesday in council chambers.