Here's your answer Wake..


From the Daily News.

YOU ASKED: Why is Telus renovating their location on St. Paul? I remember that location being a customer service centre where bills were paid and services ordered (a busy place, too, if I remember correctly).

— SD

OUR ANSWER: Anyone who drives by that huge, corner building on St. Paul Street and Third Avenue has probably wondered the same thing — especially in recent days with all the pickup trucks parked outside the main door.

Actually, work crews have been in there for about two months, quietly transforming the interior.

They are remodeling the old customer centre into a new Telus Business Centre, which will be operated by Andre's AudioTronic.

Company owner Andre Blanleil filled us in on the exciting details.

"We're building a new concept store, the first in the Interior of B.C.," he said.

"Really, it's a beautiful concept . . . it's (requiring) several hundred thousand dollars of renovations."

The 3,600-square-foot (334-sq.-metre) store will offer retail sales and services for individual customers but its main focus will be serving the business community throughout the Thompson-Okanagan region.

"We be able to sell Telus landlines, cellular, data, phone systems, all that type of stuff," said Blanleil. "We'll be able to look after all the business and retail needs of Kamloops."

The store will include a learning centre, which will offer all sorts of free training and instruction for individuals or corporate teams wanting to learn how to get the most out of their digital devices.

"So, if somebody wanted to buy a cellphone, or a company that has a half-dozen or dozen cellphones, we'll actually train their staff on how to use their phones to get the best out of them," added Blanleil.

The new Telus store is slated to open Jan. 20 and will be managed by John Mercuri.

Yesterday on Tranquille.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j357/Blacksunroofing/IMAG0280.jpg
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j357/Blacksunroofing/IMAG0279.jpg
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j357/Blacksunroofing/IMAG0277-1.jpg

I want to do a BIG update, of current and coming soon projects.

Its just time that is the problem.

Here are some more pics from today ( January 13th Friday 2012 )

New transit depot
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j357/Blacksunroofing/IMAG0290.jpg

Next to Library Square

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j357/Blacksunroofing/IMAG0283.jpg
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j357/Blacksunroofing/IMAG0284.jpg

Some more indepth photo's of everyones favorite North Shore project.
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j357/Blacksunroofing/IMAG0287.jpg
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j357/Blacksunroofing/IMAG0288.jpg
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j357/Blacksunroofing/IMAG0289.jpg
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j357/Blacksunroofing/IMAG0286.jpg

From today's KDN

January 16, 2012

The city's biggest retailer wants to get bigger.

Walmart Canada has applied to the City of Kamloops to discharge a covenant restricting it to its current, 130,000-square foot size. It wants to add about 19,000 square feet to its Sahali location.

The legal restriction was placed on the building over fears by council that it would expand to include sale of groceries, something that occurred anyway on the restricted footprint.

Randy Lambright, community development manager for the City of Kamloops, said Monday planners won't oppose the request.

"We've looked from a parking and setback perspective and it's not creating any issues there."

A public hearing at Kamloops council chambers will be set either this month or February.

Ugh...I hate Wal-Mart.

I'm surprised it has taken so long.

How will a supercentre fit at that location? I thought they were going to put a supercentre on the reserve because of space limitations.

^^ The only thing I can think of is them building out on the back parking lot that is used by the tire centre. The idea of buying groceries, produce and meat at Wal-Mart seems a little sketchy to me but lots of people will be unwilling to look past the savings.

Rhiiiino! I'm jonesing for a photo fix and construction news update...hit us up!

Im sorry guys. Ive moved to Vancouver two days ago.

Im sorry guys. Ive moved to Vancouver two days ago.

Booooooooooooo!

Someone else needs to
Take over his job now. Be nice to able to still see how my home town is doing
For construction.

What ???!!!!, Rhino, what are you doing in Vancouver ??, you have been a Kamloops fixture for years !!!, u created and made this thread the most interesting one one on here, to say this is a shock is a huge understatement.
You should consider coming over here to the Harbour city, we need u to do the same here u did for Kamloops.

What ???!!!!, Rhino, what are you doing in Vancouver ??, you have been a Kamloops fixture for years !!!, u created and made this thread the most interesting one one on here, to say this is a shock is a huge understatement.
You should consider coming over here to the Harbour city, we need u to do the same here u did for Kamloops.

I saw in a real estate magazine that in bc kamloops ranks as third out of the top ten cities to invest in and so forth. Surrey was number one, maple ridge was second. Kelowna was at number 7 and prince George came in last. This was for 2012.

It's interesting that Kamloops constantly beats Kelowna in terms of housing prices, investment opportunities and just being a better place to live. You'ld think we'd experience a major boom.

BTW, for anyone who lives in the lower mainland...what's so good about Surrey?

It's cheaper than Vancouver, and you can be outside of Vancouver without being in the FV? Just my guess. I'm also guessing more jobs/immigration from India/Pakistan?

Sandman hotel is looking good! 5 floors done, working on the sixth floor. It's pretty big, definitely going to be noticeable!

Anyone got any news about that apartment building that caught on fire today?

The secretary in my office lives in that building. Her place was just on the other side of the firewall. She hasn't been let back in and it sounds like the one side is completely gone.

Went for a drive this weekend and took some pictures of a few construction sites around the city.

The hotel 540 downtown. They are currently tearing out the center of this building and making a drive through tunnel that will be attached to the lobby. The tunnel will go through to the parking lot behind and eventually to the casino when built. It will go through pretty much right under the hotel sign.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030131.jpg

The Sandman Signature downtown.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030132.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030133.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030134.jpg

The new pedestrian bridge connecting downtown to Valleyview.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030135.jpg

Nice pics wake. 540 looks really nice now. That drive through tunnel will be a welcome addition. I heard a rumor they are putting an enclosed pool on the roof as well. On the side closest to "The Grind" coffee shop. anyone else heard that?. Thanks for the updates.

When are they starting the casino? And thanks for the pics!

Ya I heard that rumour of the pool as well. I got a buddy working on that job and I've been trying to get as much info out of him. He's the one who told me about the tunnel. I'll see what I can dig up on the pool.

I think the casino is a ways off. I haven't heard anything on that project for awhile.

Here is a couple more pics from the weekend.

Paloma, the 3rd building at Talasa (Sun Rivers) is pretty much complete. Its the building on the right.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030136.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030137.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030138.jpg

This is where the hotel will be going if the feasability study comes back positive.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030139.jpg

Phase 2 of Visao under construction (Sun Rivers). I'm liking this subdivision, its all mediterranean style houses.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030140.jpg

This is phase one that has a lot of nice houses already under construction.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030141.jpg

Here's a few of the houses.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030142.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030143.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030144.jpg

Dallas Town Centre
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030146.jpg

The new Mazda dealership.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030148.jpg

The new Ford Lincoln dealership on the Halston.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030149.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030150.jpg

Library Square, last phase
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030151.jpg

That new mixed use building on Tranquille. I forgot the name.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030153.jpg

The new Telus Business Centre downtown.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030157.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3030158.jpg

Landmark second phase in Sahali.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3040159.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3040160.jpg

A new office building on McGill.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3040162.jpg

The reno at the Zimmer dealership in Sahali.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3040164.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/P3040165.jpg

Nice pics wake. Do you know if the ford dealership on the NS will tear down that god-aweful red building beside it? It's quite the eyesore.

They will be ripping it down , but I dont think its part of the Ford property as Im friends with the former occupent. He mentioned that he had to move because there were plans for the site.

And thank you Nanaimoite I appreciate that very much , its nice to feel wanted ! :)
Im just wondering how the hell Im going to keep up in Vancouver... Im leaving Maple Ridge and moving closer in in a week or two, that will make things easier for sure.
If anyone has a line on an apartment or condo to rent close to a gym with 2 bed rooms and decent rent, PLEASE let me know. Thank you.

Rhino! Good to hear from you. Hopefully the coast is treating you well. If you ever get tired of the rain, you can always come back.

Before you left you said you knew of some major developments coming to Kamloops but you never told us what they were...care to share?

whats the new library square phase gunna look like?

First homicide of the year today on the Shore.

Some good news for the city, from the KDN website:

KPMG praises Kamloops for overall competitiveness

By Michele Young
Daily News Staff Reporter

People in Kamloops are going to be getting swollen heads, with two studies in one week pointing to the city as a great place to be.

First, MoneySense Magazine rated Kamloops 44th out of 190 Canadian cities for livability.

Then on Thursday, KPMG ranked Kamloops as top B.C. community for overall competitiveness to do business.

Venture Kamloops executive director Dan Sulz said the accounting firm’s ratings looked at 26 factors — things like land prices, taxes, labour costs, real estate and utilities — in making the choice.

Other B.C. cities vying against Kamloops were Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria.

The KPMG rating was something that’s important to help with getting Kamloops recognized among international investors, Sulz said.

“This is also an international report. It’s very important that Kamloops fared above the other communities in B.C. as we try to promote ourselves internationally,” he said.

“When I talk to international investors, they ask me how we fared on the KPMG report.”

It was those questions that prompted him to sign Kamloops up for this year’s ranking — a first for this city.

Participating cities pay for the service of being ranked by KPMG. But Sulz said the money spent has great value when it comes to marketing and promotional uses.

“I was listening to international companies saying this is an important report we rely on in terms of competitiveness,” he said.

“There is value in being able to be ranked in this publication.”

Between the two reports, Kamloops stands out in terms of availability of labour, affordability of lifestyle for employees, quality of life for employees with what the City has done with the Tournament Capital program, and location, services and infrastructure that the city has that companies can benefit from, he said.

Venture Kamloops hasn’t been alone in helping the city’s business image. Sulz said the Chamber of Commerce and other local business associations have contributed.

And even social agencies have helped because they build infrastructure and services in the community that are important to the quality of life Kamloops offers, he said.

“It’s not just about building things that are good for business; it’s about building things that are good for the community. I was surprised and ecstatic to see us ranked as we were. But when you look at every group and organization working hard in the community, it doesn’t surprise me.”

Mayor Peter Milobar said Kamloops needs to let outsiders know about what it has to offer, and rankings such as these two help with that.

"When you combine business competitiveness with one of the best cities to live in Canada, you've got a community that is positioned to grow and prosper. That's something we all have a stake in and can be proud of,” he said.

The Tourism Kamloops website has a live, rotating HD webcam that's located downtown... Pretty neat, and a good way to view the progress of the new Sandman...

http://www.tourismkamloops.com/webcam/?c=5

I noticed today that work has begun on the Old Main addition/reno at TRU. I'll try and get some pictures when I'm up that way again. I think once this semester finishes, progress will be quick on this project.

got some good pics of all the construction, cant upload, old school uploader, suks

TLOW, Im sorry my friend, I can not remember what the projects I was thinking of are now. Once I remember, I will post them. I think one was something to do with the go ahead on the Casino on Lansdown st. Was told, ( only told, not set in stone ) it may include a 10 - 15 story Hotel of some importance as well.

Interesting news Rhino. I've heard rumblings about the casino changing as well. Hotel 540 just underwent another phase of its renos's is going to put a breeze-way (complete with a hotel doorman) in the center so it will allow cars to access the rear parking from Victoria St. So it will physically separate the hotel and Casino. So it will be interesting if the Casino now uses this opportunity to expand.

Spring construction popping up like tulips with $80 million in permits
License
APRIL 27, 2012

BY MICHELE YOUNG
DAILY NEWS STAFF REPORTER
The City’s development services department is dealing with more than $80 million in building permits this spring, possibly a record.

While not all the permits will get processed in time to be counted in April’s monthly tally, development and engineering services director David Trawin said Friday there was a deluge of big-number projects.

“I don’t know if that would be a record, but pretty darned close,” he said.

April’s shower of building applications includes some big-ticket items such as:

* $9.9 million for phase one of the third and fourth floor shell to the Old Main building at Thompson Rivers University.

* $30 million for the Telus datacentre.

* $9 million for a seniors’ project on Mayfair.

* $12.5 million for a seniors’ project on Tranquille Road.

* $3 million for upgrades to the Westsyde Shopping Centre.

* $3 million for a new hotel at Versatile near Pacific Way.

* $5 million for the next phase of Library Square.

* $3.7 million for a pharmacy/residential building on Tranquille Road.

* $3.6 million for an apartment on Vernon Avenue.

* $6.5 million for the second phase of Mission Hill on West Victoria Street.

* $1.3 million for a six-townhouse project on 100-block St. Paul Street.

Trawin said permit values for single-family houses is at about $2 million for April, a fairly good amount.

Single-family house construction usually perks up in spring, and is considered an indicator of the city’s overall economic health.

Trawin said most of the permits he listed haven’t been approved yet, so they’re sitting on staff desks being dealt with or elsewhere in process.

Not all of those will be done in time to be counted in April’s building statistics, but the leftovers will still be in the spring tally, he said.

“Some will carry over into May. We don’t look at the numbers month to month, but in quarters, because they’re up one month, down the next,” he said.

“This is a really good month, that’s positive. We expect the next two or three won’t be as positive but the key indicator of single family housing and strata is not bad.”

The year-to-date total for January to March is $32 million. Trawin had predicted this year’s building total would be in the $120-million to $140-million range.

“It does bode well.”

The lights on hotel 540 look really good. Lights up the whole building as well as changes colors. Definitely adds vibrancy to Victoria street.

I'm sure most of you know already, but I'll post it anyways... The old Tony Roma's up in Aberdeen is going to become a Swiss Chalet (http://kamloops.kijiji.ca/c-jobs-bar-food-hospitality-Shift-Supervisor-W0QQAdIdZ373524709), and the old Malibu restaurant in Valleyview is going to be transformed into a Carl's Jr. (http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20120424/KAMLOOPS0101/120429866/-1/KAMLOOPS/former-malibu-restaurant-may-be-site-of-new-carls-jr).

Carl's Jr. is cool. Went there in Kelowna.

Get to come up to the Loops in about a month & a half after moving away almost a year ago. Lived there for about 10 years. Really looking forward to it and to take in the change to the city. I miss my home.

I was born and raised in Kamloops my self.
I’ve moved to Edmonton ( Alberta ), Calgary ( Alberta ), High Level ( Alberta ), Regina ( Saskatchewan ), Clear Water ( B.C. ), Maple Ridge ( B.C. ), Surrey ( B.C. ), & Kamloops ( B.C. ). Every time I move away, I get drawn back to it. I find that know matter where I go, I end up talking to other people and telling them how great Kamloops is.
We really don't realize just how lucky we were to live in a beautiful City that by far holds the best summers in all of Canada. I imagine mother Kamloops will call us all home again some time in the future.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee112/kokanee47/6f0f2f0c.jpg

The old main Reno. You can start to see how the roof line will look.