Kamloops residents approve borrowing for new search and rescue and fire hall facility

Residents in the ThompsonNicola Regional District have approved borrowing to help fund a new shared search and rescue headquarters and fire hall in Kamloops. The project will replace the current Kamloops Search and Rescue building, which the volunteer organization has been told to leave because of other plans for the site. The new facility is planned for joint use by Kamloops Search and Rescue and Kamloops Fire Rescue. The regional district said the borrowing will total $6.3 million over 20 years, with up to $100,000 a year in operating support. Officials said only 86 letters of opposition were filed before the approval deadline, allowing the proposal to move ahead. Funding is expected to be available in early 2027, although no construction start date has been set.