New downtown hotel on the way

The old Coast Canadian Inn on St. Paul Street is getting a new owner and a new look.

Council approved a development permit for 339 St. Paul that will see the five-storey, 100-room hotel get a facelift at the hands of new owners, DoubleTree Hilton Hotels and Resorts.

The renovations call for the existing cold beer and wine store to be torn down and replaced and the old Sgt. O'flaherty's turned into a new pub.

Fire and Rescue to purchase safety house

Kamloops Fire and Rescue was given approval Tuesday to teach fire safety in a fun and unique way.

The department will purchase the inflatable Fire Safety House at a cost of $25,000. Fire safety education Sheldon Guertin said the 700-square-foot "home" includes a variety of fire-safe tips and lessons and is a fun environment to play in.

This will be the third home in all of Canada and the first purchased west of Ontario, he said.