After being housed at the Museum of Northern B.C. for a number of years, Prince Rupert's Visitor Information Centre will be returning to Cow Bay.
Tourism Prince Rupert announced an agreement on Monday that will see the centre housed within the confines of the Port Interpretive Centre in Atlin Terminal. The location was selected following a request for proposal, and Tourism Prince Rupert chair Scott Farwell said the Port Interpretive Centre was a natural fit.
"We looked at the physical locale and how it would work for the centre. We then talked to each interested party to discuss management and financials ... the Prince Rupert Port Authority came back the strongest. The location is great and the port outlined how they have the management capability to handle the centre," he said.
"We're going to integrate the Visitor Information Centre with the Port Interpretive Centre, so it won't be on its own over in the corner but will be more throughout the whole facility. It's a great partnership that will strengthen our offering ... and it will be unique to visitor information centres across the province."
Tourism Prince Rupert is hoping to have the new site opened in early May, with another eight to 12 satellite locations throughout town offering brochures and information to tourists. But Farwell said having the main office in Cow Bay is a very positive thing.
"I think the locaiton in Cow Bay is key. If you look at visitor statistics, 80 per cent of visitors stop in that area for any number of reasons," he said.