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| New exhibits and a new focus is coming this summer to the Prince Rupert Port Authority's Interpretive Centre |
One of the city's most popular destinations for both tourists and locals alike, is about to get a makeover with the Prince Rupert Port Authority announcing that the Port Interpretive Centre is about to take on an Innovative New Look.
In an announcement today, the PRPA outlined the scope of the remodelling to come, as well as to advise that with the work set to start, the Centre will close as of February 15th until mid June to allow for the renovation.
The upgrade is noted as something which will include some unique and educational elements, offer career planning tools and activities for youth to learn more about the various types of vessels and cargoes that call on the Prince Rupert Gateway daily.
Prince Rupert Port Authority President and CEO Shaun Stevenson didn't give too much away on what's to come, though the note towards change over the last ten years may be a hint of where the new focus will be directed.
The PRPA first began planning for the new visual space back in November of 2021, when they first issued a Request for proposals towards the redesign for the Centre.
From those early notes of fourteen months ago comes the project set to launch at mid month.
The work however means that the Port's partner at the Centre, Tourism Prince Rupert will be homeless for the next few months, something that Ceilidh Marlow, the Executive Director for Tourism Prince Rupert addressed as well today.
Ms. Marlow, provided a few additional notes today, towards how they will be servicing tourist requests during the period of renovation through to June.
During the closure, we will be offering visitor services remotely.
You can contact a Visitor Services Associate by phone at 250-624-5637 or by email at info@visitprincerupert.com.
Visitor guides, maps, and brochures can be downloaded in PDF format from this link to their website
As well, when we get closer to the start of the Tourism Season, Tourism Prince Rupert will be operating a Pop Up Visitor Centre on the Atlin Promenade along the waterfront.
That centre is scheduled to open on May 3rd and operate in that space until they return to the new digs in the Atlin Terminal.
That Pop up location will offer up a range of material for visitors to learn more about the community and what it has to offer.
Tourism Prince Rupert also notes that Physical copies of their City Map and Visitor Guide are available at City Hall, the Prince Rupert Library, and outside the Visitor Information Centre.
More background on the PRPA announcement today can be reviewed here.
Further notes on Tourism in Prince Rupert can be explored from our archive page.
Another place this blog could've asked some hard questions of the PRPA....
ReplyDelete1. Who/why approve the timing of this closure to make sure the visitors centre isn't open for the start of the cruise/tourism season?
2. Why wasn't this work done this offseason?
3. Why not wait to complete this work until next offseason?
4. Why does the RFP say substantial completion not expected until August 1st, but this release says mid-June re-opening?
5. Was the contract awarded to a local firm? If so, who? If not, why not?
6. Why did the PRPA not consult the community on what the redesign should look like?
7. Who oversaw/created the new designs?
Not sure a renovation of their own property, on their own dime requires "hard questions"!
DeleteIt may be unfortunate that it won't be ready for the early arrivals of May, but alas, everything seems delayed these days no?
But there you go, job well done.
Now print your checklist out and mail it to the port and perhaps they'll show you the blue prints as well.
NCR
"Their own dime" is actually your dime and mine. The PRPA is a public entity owned by Canadian taxpayers. We have a right to know. Plus, they host the visitor centre, so if you are a local property tax payer, you are also subsidizing that with your taxes.
DeleteAnd strangely, you actually agree with me in saying "alas, everything seems delayed these days". That's exactly my point. Why risk delays eating up the entire tourism season instead of doing this work in the offseason?
Finally, why don't you reach out to the PRPA to ask? They often respond to you in a timely fashion with information that never seems to get posted on the Northern View or on their own website.
This reader is happy that the PRPA is doing a refresh after ten years. Imagine what our community would look like if other local organizations reinvested in themselves each decade.
DeleteSave on Foods, Wal Mart, Rupert Square Mall (PollyCo), Prince Rupert Middle School.
When did they last reinvest in their brands/ buildings in our community?
PRPA encounters vitriol when attempting to make improvements, but other local organizations that have not re-invested in our community get a pass.
#hypocritical
The same questions might be asked of the CN Station project. This is 100% the taxpayers dime.
DeleteVitriol? How is asking questions considered cruel or malice!?
DeleteIt's possible to both be supportive for the PRPA's re-investment, and also question why their timing was chosen to seriously impact the peak tourism season.
Well thanks for the content suggestion, don't quite see the story as of such urgent concern as you do.
ReplyDeleteParticularly with other stories to explore at the moment that need some time to develop.
Though you do raise an interesting note on their hosting of Tourism Prince Rupert which may be worth following up on at some time, more to see if the Port is donating the space or if they gain rent from it.
So perhaps we'll follow up on that another day.
As for the checklist you offered up, again drop them a line, they have a fleet of PR folks ready to hear from the public
NCR
Thank you for conceding my main point that you don't see the urgent concern here. And that you don't see the PRPA as a public entity worthy of the same scrutiny as the City.
DeleteIf this was the City closing down the visitors centre for what could be half or even all of a tourism season, you would be all over it. That's because your coverage of local tourism is fantastic, far beyond any other media.
Yet because the PRPA is involved, they always seem to get a free pass when it comes to inexplicable decisions like these.
Well whatever you wish, not really inclined to debate your view of the work, you're wrong on the free pass silliness if you take the time to read the archive ...
DeleteBut that won't seemingly fit your never ending narrative so carry on ... NCR
I really do sincerely appreciate you taking the time to respond to each of my previous comments.
DeleteYour archive certainly deserves praise for its sheer quantity. And its organization as well.
But as far as the PRPA free pass is concerned, we are still awaiting...
-an article about the letters sent to the Province by multiple PRPA executives that seem to contradict their prior agreement with the City
-an article about the proposed eviction of the Ice House Gallery from the PRPA's Cow Bay building
-an article explaining the significant delays in opening the Fairview connector road
-an article detailing the proposed automation of the second container port and the obvious union objections
-an article about why the much touted "Rail Road Utility Corridor" project is now being called the Rusty Rail Loop by the folks who work on Ridley
PS. last time we had a similar exchange about your lack of Port scrutiny, you could only point to a single article about the proposed Fairview dock and loss of commercial fishing moorage.
DeleteWhich by the way, is not an article in which you asked any questions or offered any commentary. It was a quote from Barry Cunningham about writing a letter of support.
Ok sparky, this is my last convo on the topic with you, as I have much more important things to do than play Ask and answer with you.
DeleteYou don't want to look into the archives fine.
I'm not your research monkey fetching the peanuts for you, but here's one from January, which curiously no local media have taken note of ...
https://northcoastreview.blogspot.com/2023/01/metlakatla-first-nation-seeks-federal.html
Now take your axe, go get it sharpened and maybe contact a few other folks that may want to take up your obsessive compulsive narratives. NCR
Hey there - Tourism Prince Rupert commenting. Just want to clarify a few things quickly. You note that the PRPA hosts the visitor centre, which is paid for by your tax dollar. We are an independent non-profit Society, completely separate from the City. Our central funding model comes from a visitor tax charged by hotels to visitors, not from the City or the Province. We supplement this with grant funding. The City collects this tax & remits it to us, which is why there might be some confusion. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification, much appreciated NCR
Delete