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Visitors' centre rejuvenated Renovations and new bike program aim to enhance tourism experience in the city
Lyndsay Herman
Northern News Services
Published Friday, June 14, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife's visitors centre is getting much more than a simple facelift this year.
Tracy Therrien, general manager of Northern Frontier Visitors Centre, points to cracks in a support beam due to shifts in the building's foundation. - Lyndsay Herman/NNSL photo |
With $200,000 over two years awarded by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor); $100,000 over two years from the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment; and $61,000 awarded for this fiscal year by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, important cosmetic and functional improvements will be made to the centre.
Tracy Therrien, general manager of the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre, said the organization intends to apply for more funding from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the next fiscal year.
Apart from securing external funding, the centre generates revenue through renting out office space, providing a venue for events of up to 150 people, and product sales from the gift shop.
"Many people don't realize we're a membership-run association and we're a non-profit organization," said Therrien. "They often think it's owned by the government but it's not."
As of the most recent annual general meeting, there were 117 corporate members and 30 artist members running Yellowknife's visitors centre.
Among the exciting new additions are ten bicycles donated by Outcrop Communications, which visitors can take out for the day free of charge, said Therrien.
Visitors then have the option of returning the bikes to the centre or to Old Town Glassworks.
The popular Old Town attraction and store eagerly agreed to take part because the program complements their recently-launched bicycle repair, rental, and recycling endeavour, said Glassworks' founder Matthew Grogono.
"It's a great town for bicycling," said Grogono.
"We've got excellent weather for bicycling and, with growing awareness about the environment, bicycling is a very natural way to go."
Renovations on the visitors centre started in January and extensive work has already been completed on the electrical system. These improvements include the installation of timers on parking stall electrical outlets, improved efficiency of ceiling fans, increased exterior lighting, and the installation of a security system.
Also, the masonry in the entrance has been repaired and a park area on the south side of the building was weeded and set up with picnic tables. A barbecue may be added to the picnic area, which overlooks Frame Lake.
Therrien said the centre is accepting plant donations now that an abundance of garden space has been cleared - which was done entirely by the centre's own staff.
Therrien learned vendors, such as artists, fish-sellers, and food vendors, can set up around the centre's parking lot, something she'd like to see happen more often.
The most important renovation will be work done on the building's foundation.
The visitors centre, which extends on to Frame Lake, stands partially on pilings over the water.
Due to a design flaw, the foundation is shifting so
significantly that the building is splitting and visible cracks can be see in the walls.
Therrien will be meeting with three engineering firms this month and hopes a permanent solution can found before the end of the summer.
"This fix is very long overdue," she said.
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