City of Kamloops mini storage review first step in shaping West Victoria services

KAMLOOPS — The mini storage facility at 48 Victoria Street West was discussed at length at Tuesday night’s (Jan. 31) Kamloops city council meeting. Councillors debated whether or not the issue was larger than just the mini storage before unanimously voting for a change to the original motion.

The motion was amended twice. Both amendments were recognized by Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson as being potential conflicts of interest due to his business in the area. He did not vote on the issue.

The future of the facility is still in doubt, as the mayor’s motion to request a report on the facility’s service to the community was changed to no longer mandate an inquiry on relocation.

“My intention was to review the facility and look at relocating it; let’s see how many people got into services,” stated Hamer-Jackson.

“One thing that was removed from that motion is the option of relocation, so that’s not currently what we are looking at in the motion that went forward. We are just looking at a report about what’s going on and the activities that are taking place there so we can start to make solutions,” noted Councillor Katie Neustaeter.

Owners of businesses downtown expressed dissatisfaction with the facility bringing too much of the city’s homeless population to their establishments. However, some believe that its central location may be necessary. The Mustard Seed also has facilities supporting the homeless in the area.

“The mini storage is a valuable spot. It’s got about 225 bins. That’s a lot of stuff. If you think about that, put it into shopping carts and you have them all over the streets of Kamloops. That’s not a pretty sight,” said Kelly Thomson, the managing director at Mustard Seed Kamloops.

The report will be presented to the city council on February 9, when they will use the information to decide what to do next.