BCLC remains committed to Kamloops as home to its headquarters and as a leading employer in the community. Based on a third-party review, BCLC has determined that it will remain in its existing Kamloops headquarters facility and defer any further discussion of redevelopment into the future.
This prudent approach follows extensive third-party analysis of options, and assessments of the building’s condition -- culminating with an engagement with Partnerships B.C., a provincial organization that supports the public sector in meeting its infrastructure needs for complex capital projects.
The final needs assessment report found that despite inefficiencies in some parts of the Kamloops headquarters, the building is well maintained and functioning. While BCLC expects employment to grow in Kamloops as its business continues to evolve, the report also found that more work is required to project future needs and associated space requirements. As such, it recommended that BCLC continue in its existing head office.
“While we are not moving forward with a new development at this time, BCLC and the Province of B.C. remain 100 per cent committed to our head office remaining in Kamloops,” said Peter Kappel, Chair, BCLC Board of Directors. “As a Crown corporation, BCLC must make responsible investments to build our business, while maintaining our commitment to managing our costs in the best interest of the Province and the people of British Columbia.”
BCLC will continue to monitor the Kamloops headquarters – which is more than 54 years old, originally a Woodward’s department store – to ensure it meets future needs.
“Kamloops has remained the home of BCLC’s head office since day one, and that is not going to change,” said Jim Lightbody, President and CEO. “We look forward to many more years of success in this community.”
In Kamloops alone, BCLC employs more than 440 people, as well as approximately 60 contractors, who work in finance, information technology, human resources, customer support, data centre, casino operations, prize payout, internal audit and legal departments. The President and CEO and three Vice Presidents work in the Kamloops head office.
BCLC’s economic impact on Kamloops and the South Thompson region is significant. It is the seventh largest employer in Kamloops, which has benefited from an overall economic impact of more than $1 billion since BCLC first opened its doors in Kamloops in 1985.
For more information:
BCLC Media Relations
604-225-6460
mediarelations@bclc.com
