The 2.8 million project started construction last November
The brand new Kelowna Visitor Centre on Queensway Avenue opened its doors to the public for the first time Thursday afternoon.
Situated on the waterfront in the downtown area, the Centre offers visitors information, as well as plenty of locally-made souvenirs.
Tourism Kelowna President Lisanne Ballantyne says the facility captures the “local spirit.”
“During the build, it became apparent that it’s actually part of the Kelowna story,” says Ballantyne. “This building, to us, signifies the growth that the entire region is going through as well.”
The site of the Visitor Centre also has some historical significance.
“This area which we’re standing on was actually the old ferry dock, which ceased operations in the sixties,” says project manager Gustav Van Niekerk. “While we were doing excavations we found some remnants of the old ferry.”
The $2.8 million facility, which began construction last November, is expected to see 100,000 visitors in its first year.
While construction on the actual building is complete and it is open for the public, there is still some work to be done on the land surrounding it.
The Kelowna Visitor Centre is open from 9 AM to 9 PM during the summer months.
