Kamloops City Council: Modern-Day Roman Emperors — But with Ice Arenas and Costumes

Fools and Your Money are Soon Parted

Ah, Kamloops — that scenic gem nestled in the Thompson Valley, where the pine-scented air gives way to the faint hum of taxpayers quietly wondering whether their City Council might just be auditioning for Cirque du Solvency. Because lately, it’s not just potholes and property taxes on the chopping block but also $275 million worth of “let’s build really pretty stuff.” That’s not a Roman Colosseum, but it’s very shiny.

Act One: “Borrow Now, Celebrate Forever”

In a masterstroke of civic budgeting worthy of a Roman emperor’s flair, Kamloops City Council green-lighted long-term borrowing for two mega-projects:

• Centre for the Arts — up to $140 million
• Arena Multiplex + Recreation Facilities — up to $135 million

That’s a total of $275 million being shoved into “culture and leisure,” or as your average Kamloops household might see it: another $25+ extra in taxes each year … for five years. 

So, congratulations, Kamloops — you’re signed up to help pay off this debt like a dedicated senatorial class of taxpayers for decades. (Yes, Rome fell, but not before building a few arenas. Same strategy, minus the lions.)

Act Two: The Cost of “Culture” — Pricier Than a Gladiator’s Helmet

Back in 2019, the projected cost for a new performing arts centre was about $70 million, according to early city plans. Fast-forward a few years (okay, more than a few), and that number has tripled — now pegged at $211 million.

So while residents are being told “it’s only $25/year,” the long-term tab is very, very real — much like Rome’s debt after building all those amphitheaters.

Act Three: The Distraction Game — Ancient Rome vs. Kamloops 2025 Edition

Let’s get real: Ancient Rome didn’t invent the idea of keeping citizens happy by throwing grand spectacles. They just specialized in it. Gladiators, chariot races, public feasts — you name it. The point? Distract, entertain, pacify.

Now, we don’t have lion fights in Riverside Park (yet), but we do have a city pouring huge cash into entertainment infrastructure and arts — while many residents are still worried about:

• Crime and street disorder
• Housing pressures and rising rent 
• Homelessness and social services
• Inflation and rising cost of living

Thus, one could cynically argue: “Hey, if people are going to grumble about rent or crime, at least they’ll have a world-class arena and arts centre to forget about it.”

Act Four: Council as the New Roman “Bread Givers”

Just like Roman emperors needed to hand out bread and gladiatorial games to keep people in line, Kamloops Council seems to be offering recreation + culture so loudly that folks might forget there are more pressing needs.

They promise “diverse and equitable opportunities” — which sounds very kumbaya and wonderful — but when the city is simultaneously agreeing to massive borrowing to build entertainment infrastructure, skepticism is warranted.

Are we funding these cultural projects because they genuinely serve the community first — or because the optics of a shiny arts centre help distract from political friction, unaddressed social issues, or infrastructure deficits?

Act Five: Fine — But Where’s the Balance?

Look: there is absolutely a role for recreation, arts, and “fun” in a thriving city. A community that plays together stays together… or something like that. But when your “fun budget” starts bleeding into multi-decade debt without clear alignment to core issues like:

• Housing
• Safety
• Infrastructure repair

… then yeah, the resemblance to Roman spectacle politics gets uncomfortably close.

Here’s what a more balanced approach could look like (if we weren’t all just here for the show):

1. Transparent Cost-Benefit: Show taxpayers exactly how much they’re paying long-term, not just the “$25/year” talking point.
   
2. Prioritize Basic Needs: Ensure core services aren’t taking a back seat to building ice rinks and arts venues.
   
3. Community Consultation: Ask residents whether they even want this much shiny infrastructure — especially when other problems feel more urgent.
   
4. Phased Development: Instead of borrowing everything at once, build in phases based on what the community actually uses / needs / demands.
   
5. Accountability: Make sure Council’s vision for “culture” is assessed regularly to ensure it’s doing more than just distracting folks.

Final Act: Will Kamloops Actually Become a Roman Spectacle City?

Not exactly. There are big structural differences — we’re not a dictatorship, for one, and there is public oversight, plus municipal accountability mechanisms. But the parallels are hard to ignore:

• Massive debt to fund entertainment projects
• “Spectacles” as a part of political strategy
• The risk that basic citizen concerns will get drowned out by the drumbeat of progress and grandeur

In short: if Kamloops wanted a Roman emperor’s playbook, they got one — but our Colosseum is going to be made of steel, glass, and tax debt.

What Can You Do?