Kamloops Construction

[BC.Tom]

Kamloops with the countries biggest jumps in housing start Jan 2025 vs Jan 2026 at 87%. Twice the next highest. Huge number of starts compared to our peers (Nanaimo, Chilliwack, Lethbridge)

housing starts by Thomas Johansen, on Flickr

[MIPS]

To nobody's surprise, the Red Bridge Replacement Project got pushed.

https://cfjctoday.com/2026/02/19/red-bri...get-as-next-update-delayed-to-fall-2026/

Previously, the Ministry had said that a conceptual design of the “preferred options” for a replacement bridge will be released this spring, but that timeline has now been removed from the province’s website. The next update on the bridge is now expected to come in the fall, according to the Ministry.

Five to seven years to replace the fscking bridge.

[Metro-One]

Two interchanges in Kelowna have been in the “planning / early engineering stages” since the NDP came into power nearly a decade ago now…

So don’t expect any real movement any time soon.

This is the most inept provincial government, their self admitted failure of open drug use, the massive cluster f**k of their reconciliation programs that are only leading to more resentment and division, canceling the GM Bridge, cancelling the Peachland bypass, deferring a second crossing in Kelowna until at least the 2040s, no movement on Island Rail despite being a pro-green government, etc… Just endless disappointments. And I say this as a slightly left of centre guy. So yeah, even when the replacement options do come to light, don’t expect any good ones.

Oh yeah, the Malahat improvements were also just deferred *cough* canceled *cough* Even the half decent stuff that did happen were still watered down (highway 1 twinning in chase was shortened by 2 km and one of the two interchanges was replaced with two protected Ts. Still a good project, but less so than the pre NDP plan.)

[Vantage]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Two interchanges in Kelowna have been in the “planning / early engineering stages” since the NDP came into power nearly a decade ago now…

So don’t expect any real movement any time soon.

This is the most inept provincial government, their self admitted failure of open drug use, the massive cluster f**k of their reconciliation programs that are only leading to more resentment and division, canceling the GM Bridge, cancelling the Peachland bypass, deferring a second crossing in Kelowna until at least the 2040s, no movement on Island Rail despite being a pro-green government, etc… Just endless disappointments. And I say this as a slightly left of centre guy. So yeah, even when the replacement options do come to light, don’t expect any good ones.

Oh yeah, the Malahat improvements were also just deferred *cough* canceled *cough* Even the half decent stuff that did happen were still watered down (highway 1 twinning in chase was shortened by 2 km and one of the two interchanges was replaced with two protected Ts. Still a good project, but less so than the pre NDP plan.)

If the political opposition was actually organised and not led by out of touch nut cases then more people will be willing to vote for them. Canadians generally do not want social conservatism, keep that crap out of your platform and they will be successful. It's really that easy for them.

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by Vantage

If the political opposition was actually organised and not led by out of touch nut cases then more people will be willing to vote for them.

This is also sadly true. BC has an awful political climate recently with no good options.

[RHINO]

on the Political front I agree, however it doesn't mean the current government couldn't be striving to do at least an acceptable job. Seems they do just enough to get elected and then ignore the locations that did not vote for them. We need a better conservative alternative that can speak to the whole province..

Focus on the economy, health and safety. That's what we need right now. Getting bogged down in other special interest battles will prove to help no one.

[VantageHD]

City Gardens update March 1, 2026:

[VantageHD]

Canary Lofts in the distance adding a back stop to 1st Ave

[VantageHD]

Originally Posted by BC.Tom

Looks like the Tournament Inn redevelopment might move ahead quicker then anticipated. Commercial portion up for lease, move in late 2026.

Is there movement on the Yew Street/ Jamaican Kitchen project? I heard things were happening over there.

Hotel coming as well: https://www.castanetkamloops.net/news/Ka...rmer-Tournament-Inn-in-Valleyview#580888

tournament by Thomas Johansen, on Flickr

torunament2 by Thomas Johansen, on Flickr

Got a quick picture of this site on the way home last week while stuck in traffic. Was surprised to see pile drivers on site. Not sure why they're using it but love seeing this type of equipment in use. Anyone know why they would be doing this here?

IMG_9871

[MIPS]

Pile driving is likely updated code for foundation stability.
They have also regraded the property to raise it a foot or two (note on the lamplighter property line it sits lower than the new development) to keep it above the waterline for previous flood levels.

Now, we have not seen the South Thompson get that high in decades, but I guess that's the new rule.

[VantageHD]

Ya I could see that being the reason. You would think there would be underground parking for the hotel and apartment and they would be digging down. By the looks of it so far the building will start at grade.

[BC.Tom]

Anybody know what this proposal looks like?

valleyview by Thomas Johansen, on Flickr

[RHINO]

Hmmmm.... There is no released plan that I know of yet.

[mindcash]

Originally Posted by BC.Tom

Anybody know what this proposal looks like?

valleyview by Thomas Johansen, on Flickr

I think its just a step in the entire plan of developing the golf course land out there, perhaps by Orchards Walk? Not sure.

[VantageHD]

That's definitely Orchards walk's OCP amendment, not the golf courses. The golf course would have shovels in the ground by now if it was up to them. Ministry of transportation has been hard lined on upgrades needed before allowing the development to proceed. Not sure if Valleyview Dr connecting to Dallas Dr will alleviate any of their concerns, but queuing from the roundabout onto the highway happens during evening rush hour and last I heard they haven't come to an agreement on how to fix it, especially when the entry to the golf course project will be before the roundabout. This amendment might shed some light on that issue though.

I don't think there's a proposal yet for what you were wondering about Tom. I'd imagine they would want the amendment first before any designs get presented. Sounds like they want to densify the shit out of their last phase haha.

[MIPS]

Will it still be more of that crummy prefab panel stuff they've been doing the last few phases?

[MIPS]

NL reported over the lunch the NSBA's preliminary poll of weather to keep the Bumshack open another three years.

60% of total possible votes cast
80% voted "NO"

[VantageHD]

I hope they shut it down. Ask wellness does way more harm than good. I hate listening to their little sob stories. These stories have been going on for more than decade and all they've done is made the neigbourhood, and the problem worse. Jails and rehab seemed to work great before the feelings police started calling the shots. Consequences for these people is the only answer, not unlimited slaps on the wrists. Build a rehab centre in the middle of nowhere and stop ruining law abiding citizens livelihoods and neighbourhoods. There's no reason these people need to be forced into neighbourhoods they're not wanted.

On another note, noticed 377 Tranquille has started excavation - the site of the old Village hotel. Nothing special, thanks to Blue Green being terrible at what they do, but will definitely change the corridor by filing in that dirt lot and adding more commercial along Tranquille.

[RHINO]

I thought you were a big fan of Blue Green.

[VantageHD]

I can't even laugh at how much I hate them. They could have made Tranquille unique or different through their designs. Instead they've created this monotonous copy/paste exhibit that plays nothing into the quirky vibe that it is. They could have made a cool Commercial drive style neighbourhood, but they suck too much. How many companies out there get to design like 10 buildings on a single street, and they couldn't have dropped the ball harder than what they've done. They deserve to be banished from pulling a permit