Quality of Life - Above All

Employee retention is high and turnover is low in Kamloops because people love to live here. Kamloops offers a relaxed lifestyle in a spectacular, natural setting and mix of sage lands, pine forests, mountains, lakes and rivers. Residents enjoy an impressive quality of life and public infrastructure second to none. With outstanding weather, no traffic congestion and lifestyle amenities at your doorstep. Young professionals, families and mature workers are taking advantage of the balance they can enjoy between career and recreation activities. Located in the Thompson Okanagan economic region, Kamloops is home to a growing population of over 85,000 residents. Kamloops is the business and travel hub of British Columbia's Southern Interior. The area offers the best of what BC has to offer - an outstanding quality of life set in a spectacular landscape. The summers are hot and dry, while in winter, snow falls at the higher elevations and mild temperatures prevail in the low lying area. Kamloops receives more than 2000 hours of sunshine annually.

CLIMATE FACTS

This is where Kamloops ranks among Canadian cities

	Hottest summers	#1
	Most hot days above 30 C	#1
	Warmest spring	#2
	Most sunny days in warm months	#2
	Hours of Sunshine	2040 hrs
	Median high temperature	21.0  C
	Median minimum temperature	-4.2  C
	Annual rainfall	217.9mm

Source: Kamloops Community Profile 2004 & Environment Canada 2005

Cultural Centre

The City of Kamloops is the commercial and cultural centre of the region. A thriving cosmopolitan city where shopping, entertainment, artistic expression, and sporting challenge are found in full measure.  

The Kamloops Art Gallery and Museum are both located downtown and offer ever changing shows and exhibitions.  The Kamloops Symphony Orchestra and the Western Canada Theatre Company perform regularly and there is always something happening at Interior Savings Centre,

home to the Kamloops Blazers (three time winners of the Memorial Cup) of the Western Hockey League. The nightclubs, pubs and coffeehouses often host local entertainers and each night during July and August, there is Music in the Park.   For more information about Kamloops Arts Cultural opportunities click here.

Recreational opportunites

Opportunities abound for world-class hiking, mountain biking and skiing. Two hundred lakes, all within a 64 km radius of downtown Kamloops, provide unlimited opportunities for fishing and water sports.  Numerous tennis courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, pools, and fitness centers facilitate the avid sports buff. 

The many parks in Kamloops, (McArthur Island Sports Centre, Riverside Park, Pioneer Park, and Kenna Cartwright Park) are wonderful places to walk, jog, cycle and roller blade.  The Kamloops Wildlife Park is nationally recognized for excellence in its efforts to conserve and preserve 72 indigenous animal species and the environment. Many provincial parks around Kamloops are also popular with local residents.  For more information about Kamloops' recreational opportunities click here or visit www.tourismkamloops.com. 

HEALTH CARE

Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) is the major acute care facility for Kamloops and the regional referral hospital for the surrounding region. The hospital has 228 acute care beds. RIH is one of over 50 agencies providing health care services in Kamloops including two extended care hospitals, two health units (South Central and North Shore) and five community health centers two on the North Shore, two in Sahali, and one in Valleyview. The health care industry is a major employer in Kamloops. RIH alone employs 2,117 people. Approximately 150 physicians service the Kamloops area.

The British Columbia Ambulance Service operates both full and part time in Kamloops.  One of their 3 regional dispatch centers is located in Kamloops which services the Northern Interior. They also have two stations in the city, one on the South Shore and one on the North Shore.  The Ambulance Service offers tours and ride along programs for high school students who are interested in entering the field.  As well, the Ambulance Service has a mountain bike squad that attends community events.  For more information about our extensive health care services click here.

MEDIA GALLERY 

With four distinct seasons, beautiful vistas, and an excellent quality of life, Kamloops is the Jewel of the Interior. Visit our Media and News Gallery to view our award winning lifestyle video presentation on how Kamloopsians are living large and paying less. You can also explore our many publications, news stories and photo gallery about the area. Click here for more information.