Kamloops

The origins of the city of Kamloops date back to the Secwepemc (Shuswap) nation of the Interior Salish language group, who were really the first inhabitants of the place. The first European explorers arrived during the year 1811, when David Stuart arrived from Fort Astoria. The name "Kamloops" is the anglicized translation of the Shuswap word, "Tk'emlups," that translates to "meeting of the waters." Another possible origin of the word comes from the French "Camp des loups" meaning 'Camp of Wolves', likely spoken by fur traders.

The BC Festival of the Arts Legacy Fund helps Kamloops residents for competition, development, and presentation in the several areas of interdisciplinary arts, visual, media, literary, and performing arts. Boogie the Bridge Cultural Fund is made to develop an atmosphere of underprivileged children's cultural growth amongst the ages of 5 to 18 years. Community Art Grants are funds provided to help non-profit groups with projects that are associated to arts and arts awareness promotions in the community. The Chamber Musicians of Kamloops are a network of chamber musicians and supporters of chamber music in British Columbia (Kamloops). The Kamloops Arts Council helps artists, especially the emerging ones. It organizes the following activities: Children's Art festival, Art in the Park, North Shore Artwalk, Downtown Artwalk, Lumiere Parade, Main Gallery, Extension Gallery, Wilson House Gallery, The Body Beautiful: Art Redefined, and Author's Showcase. It even offers: Kamloops Arts Council Main Gallery, The Extension Gallery for exhibitions by local artists or the Wilson House gallery, Arts Council Grants for art groups and individuals, and High School Scholarships (Julia Appley Mitra Youth Scholarship). The Western Canada Theatre was incorporated in the year 1975, and assists in the development of performers through depending on artists of all disciplines from outside the Kamloops community. It produces a professional five play main stage season, a two play second stage series, and hosts one to two alternative pieces throughout the season as well.

With a $37 million investment of the area, the Tournament Capital of Canada helped to make the premiere centre for international or national competitions, tournaments, and other first class facilities. What's more, there is a skatepark which is literally a concrete paradise over 2,000 square meters of area. Four foot quarterpipes are in the upper decks to help increase the flow and speed of the skater, and many obstacles within the park will make the activity way more difficult than ever. The Kamloops Bike Riders Association, the City of Kamloops' Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department has already finished the first phase of the Kamloops Bike Park, which is named: "The Kamloops Bike Ranch." The ranch is 26 hectares, and is situated between Juniper Ridge and Valleyview. Additionally, Kamloops has a dog sharing park. This area is also shared by cyclists, families, walkers, skiers, bird watchers, and joggers. Water parks likewise abound within the area. Any person can pick from the McDonald Park, Albert McGowan Park, Riverside Park or Prince Charles Park.

Kamloops is the economic centre of the southern area. Here, residents have the full advantage of living large and paying less. Venture Kamloops helps assist individuals who want to expand or start their companies. In recent years, construction activity in Kamloops has hit its highest peak in the last 10 years, and is now constructing residential projects worth 2 billion dollars.