City of Kamloops Former Rayleigh Correctional Site - Environmental Management and Remediation Plan

The City of Kamloops is initiating the development of a sports, recreation, and agricultural facility for the region. The development will be situated on the site of the former provincial Rayleigh Correctional Centre; land which was formerly owned and occupied by Department of National Defence for ammunition storage. The land is considered a brownfield site due to past activities and facilities such as waste oil drum storage, coal storage, an incinerator, a fire pit, a munitions area, and landfilling of a swale. This feasibility study will confirm the extent of contamination, develop a plan for remediation and prepare documentation in accordance with the requirements of the BC Contaminated Sites Regulation. The methodology for testing and evaluating the viability of remediation options will include cost analysis as part of the overall project, effectiveness in providing a permanent solution, and strategies that are consistent with the city’s sustainability goals. The larger project plan incorporates two distinct phases of development on the site. Phase 1, on the northern area of the site, will provide the community with high-quality amateur sport and competition facilities, as well as a playground and day park facilities with walking trails. The site will accommodate local and out-of-town users throughout the year. Phase 2 will redevelop approximately 80 hectares of the site, located immediately south of the Phase 1 lands, for agricultural use, additional recreational facilities, and an RV park which will be developed by Tk'emlups Indian Band. Work on Phase 1 has already commenced, while a Request for Proposals has been issued to generate ideas and potential development concepts for various aspects of Phase 2. This project will provide a template for Kamloops to apply to other brownfield sites in the community. Once fully developed, the site will be a centre for recreational and agricultural activities that will have positive impacts far beyond the immediate community.

(Project description from original funding application)