By Dylana Milobar

Kamloops Public Market Cooperative hoping for community input

Dec 15, 2018 | 1:24 PM

KAMLOOPS —  The group leading the charge to bring a fixed, year-round public market space to Kamloops is asking the community for some feedback through an online survey.

Kamloops Public Market Cooperative Executive Director Daphane Nelson says, the group hopes to gain some insight into what the public thinks about having the indoor marketplace.

With Riverside Park as the initial location put forward by the group, Nelson worries the concerns raised by some members of the public around the potential site are taking away from the big picture.

“Trying to get people to really understand what the project is about before making the final determination about where,” She explains, “Having said that, we are open to other locations and that’s why we’re doing the survey, we want to know what people think.”

At an estimated cost of 20-30 million dollars to get the facility built, Nelson says there are a number of resources available for funding the potential venture.

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For example, she says if council went forward with a feasability study, then more options would be explored.

“During that process, the city planners would likely be looking at all funding sources, including grants, and other means. I mean who knows, maybe some person would want to contribute to helping build it. Theres other ideas out there, investment cooperatives, pooling local funds for infrastructure,” She explains, “So there are different ways of raising funds.”

Exploring what the market would bring to Kamloops if built, Nelson says there could be some obvious economic benefits.

“There is a lot of interest from various groups throughout the city to look at something like a destination for tourists,” She continues, “(Along with) some people with their small businesses having an ongoing opportunity to sell their stuff.”

Beyond the monetary factor, Nelson says they hope the proposal they’ve modeled off Wenatchee’s Pybus Public Market would bring people together, young and old.

“Its where people go to buy their food and connect with their friends, and to sit and have a cup of coffee,” She explains, “Theres a lot of different models all over the world really.”

The survey will wrap up on December 28th, and after that, the Kamloops Public Market Cooperative will aim to go before city council early in the new year.

“Make a point of supporting it now if that’s something that you feel strongly about. Don’t wait until people are saying ‘No’, and then its too late,” Nelson stresses, “With this survey, I want everyone’s opinion, and it does matter.”