Tranquille is a historical site with a complex past. It has served as a tuberculosis treatment center, a mental institution, and a youth detention center. Today, it stands as a place to visit and learn about history, but in just a few years, it could become the newest residential development in Kamloops.
The Ignition Group of Companies has ambitious plans for the site—plans that would erase much of its historical significance. They intend to demolish the sanatorium and the surrounding abandoned community to make way for up to 2,000 homes. The proposed development, named Tranquille on the Lake, would feature a golf course, vineyards, farms, RV parks, and an equestrian park. With its prime location on the city limits, bordering both the Tranquille River and Kamloops Lake, developers believe the area is ideal for this transformation.
The 2020 concept plan for the Tranquille site touts a suburban neighbourhood entwined with agriculture.
Developers have had their eyes on Tranquille since its permanent closure in the 1990s. However, Ignition is the first company to purchase the property, acquiring it for $1.5 million. Their plans, however, have been met with resistance from Secwepemc leaders, who believe there may be unmarked graves on the site. They suspect that some students from the Kamloops Residential School were forcibly transferred to Tranquille and may have died there. As a result, the First Nations government is now appealing to the province to investigate further.
In response, Ignition conducted its own research using government records, news reports, and media archives but found “no facts to support the claims.” The company has since stated it has “no obligation” to fund or facilitate further research into any possible connections between Tranquille and the residential school.
Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has also weighed in, urging the province to streamline the approval process. He emphasized the housing shortage and the economic benefits, stating, “We’re looking for housing, housing, housing—well, we’ve got 1,500 to 2,000 homes that could be built there.” He also claims the project could generate a $1.2 billion economic impact.
https://infotel.ca/newsitem/kamloops-mayor-goes-to-bat-for-proposed-tranquille-development/it103258
Under The Wire Podcast; Starring Ben Canning
Tranquille has long been a place of mystery and history, first as a tuberculosis sanatorium, then as a psychiatric facility, and now as a site of controversy. Over the years, psychiatric institutions like Tranquille have faced scrutiny for their treatment of patients, and now the site faces a new battle—redevelopment.
In this episode of Under the Wire, I sit down with Kamloops resident and TRU student Ben Canning to discuss the proposed transformation of Tranquille. Developers plan to tear down the abandoned buildings to make way for 2,000 new homes, golf courses, and vineyards. But is this the right move? While the housing crisis in Kamloops continues, some argue that the city should focus solely on residential development rather than luxury additions.
Beyond housing concerns, Tranquille holds historical weight, especially for First Nations communities. Some believe the site is connected to the 215 unmarked graves found at the Kamloops Residential School, raising ethical concerns about demolishing the area. Ben and I discuss the balance between preserving history and making way for economic growth.
As Kamloops continues to expand, the future of Tranquille remains uncertain. Should we build, preserve, or investigate further?
Enjot the whole podcast below!!!
Under The Wire: The Change Coming To Kamloops
