The Tranquille Corridor Transformation – The Shore – Kamloops Business Improvement Association
A Vision for the Future: The Tranquille Corridor Transformation
Over the next ten years, the Tranquille Corridor will be transformed into something extraordinary. What is now familiar will become a vibrant and modern hub—filled with over a dozen new mixed-use buildings, exciting street-level shops and cafés, and active, engaging public spaces. The area will evolve into a culturally rich and lively neighbourhood that proudly reflects the unique spirit of the North Shore.
This transformation didn’t start overnight. In fact, the work began nearly a decade ago, when the City of Kamloops committed to replacing aging underground infrastructure, some of which was originally built nearly a century ago. That investment was essential. It created a strong and stable foundation for everything that is being built today—and everything that’s coming next.
In the early days, North Kamloops was its own city. The central business district was small, and many of the original utilities and roadways were installed by the local land and orchard company. When North Kamloops joined with the City of Kamloops in 1972, the area began to grow—but much of the infrastructure still needed to catch up. In my office, there’s a map showing over 99 infrastructure projects completed on the North Shore between 2016 and 2023. These improvements—water, sewer, roads, and sidewalks—paved the way for the next chapter of growth.
Since joining the Business Improvement Association in 2018, I’ve had a front-row seat to this transformation. I’ve seen plans drawn up, financing arranged, and construction begin. One of the most important early projects was The Station by ARPA Developments, located in the 200 block of Tranquille Road. It served as a “proof of concept,” showing that the long-standing challenges of building on the North Shore—like small lot sizes, land assembly issues, and strict parking rules—could be overcome. This success gave others the confidence to start building here too.
In the years since, the momentum has only grown. We’ve seen the demolition of old, outdated properties like the Village Hotel (formerly the Duchess Nightclub), and the creation of new affordable housing projects for seniors and families. Each step forward has brought new life and new opportunity to the area.
Looking ahead to the next five years, we anticipate the addition of hundreds of new housing units across the North Shore. This growth is exciting, but we believe it’s also important to take a thoughtful and balanced approach. That’s why we’ve made a formal request to the City of Kamloops as part of the KamPlan Official Community Plan (OCP) review.
In our letter, we asked the City to develop a clear and evidence-based framework that outlines the maximum saturation levels for different types of housing—such as low-barrier, supportive, and affordable housing—based on population size or geographic area. This kind of planning will help ensure that no single type of housing becomes overconcentrated in one neighbourhood.
The goal is to maintain a healthy mix of housing that supports people at every stage of life—from young adults and families to seniors. This includes options for upsizing and downsizing, and a range of price points to support economic mobility. A balanced housing supply also encourages strong, inclusive communities and helps prevent stress on social systems or the feeling of being overwhelmed by one dominant housing type.
At its heart, this is about creating a complete and welcoming neighbourhood—one that supports community safety, diversity, pride, and opportunity.
As we continue to engage with developers, planners, and residents, we will focus on building a neighbourhood that reflects our proud North Shore identity. Historically, this area has been shaped by multicultural roots, hard work, and community spirit. The future we are building will honour that legacy.
Our goal is simple but ambitious: to create one of the strongest, most diverse, and most livable neighbourhoods in Kamloops. With smart planning, the right mix of housing, and exciting new developments, the Tranquille Corridor will become a shining example of what’s possible when a community works together with vision and determination.
The best days for the North Shore are ahead of us—and they’re closer than you think.