Project Sectors
CONTEXT
In May 2024, St. Andrew's on the Square experienced a devastating fire. This prominent late Victorian Gothic Revival building has stood at the heart of downtown Kamloops since 1887 and is deeply connected to Kamloops' memory, identity and sense of place. Therefore, restoring it was a top priority for the community. The restoration also allowed the design team to enhance accessibility, functionality and heritage features.
THE PROJECT
Working with City of Kamloops staff, local heritage experts and skilled contractors, the Reimagine Architects Ltd. team mapped out a strategy that balanced urgent repair needs with a careful conservation approach which honours the building's character and supports its long-term community use.
The scope of work included insurance-related construction and repairs across plumbing, electrical, structural, architectural, HVAC, and life-safety systems. Specific improvements included upgrades to fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, fire suppression, security cameras, and accessibility features, including automatic door openers and an improved accessibility ramp to access the building. All of these upgrades were achieved while preserving the exterior and interior character-defining elements of the building, with the least-invasive interventions possible.
OUTCOME
The final result of these carefully-considered interventions reflects the conservation goal of the project: to protect what makes St. Andrew’s distinctive while allowing it to be useful, welcoming, and alive in the present. In May 2026, St. Andrew's on the Square opened its doors to the public once again,
“Like a phoenix, St. Andrew’s has risen twice,” said Andrew Yarmie, a member of the City’s Heritage Engagement Group. “Due to vacancies and neglect, the church nearly succumbed to demolition in the 1990s and then to a fire in 2024. First through the efforts of the Kamloops Heritage Society, and next the City of Kamloops, the facility has been restored to a high standard and remains a cornerstone of our heritage and community.”
