The Quesnel Visitor Centre is bigger and better than ever for the 2021 tourism season following the completion of a $1.4 million reno.
Items were being moved from its temporary home at the Billy Barker Day office Saturday morning as the centre reopened in the newly renovated space it shares with the Quesnel & District Museum and Archives.
“We have been out since October 15, 2020, so it has been a long stretch, and we’re very excited to be back in,” said visitor centre coordinator Faith Johnston.
The Quesnel Visitor Centre was completely moved into its permanent space Monday, June 21.
Quesnel City Council had agreed late last May to close the museum for the renovation project and enter into a month-to-month agreement with the Billy Barker Days Society to use their nearby office as a temporary visitor centre.
Read More: Quesnel Museum to remain closed in 2020 to accommodate renovation
“Being located next door, a lot of people have been just coming through seeing the construction fence and then not realizing that we’re open,” Johnston said, noting they have four summer students this year.
“But it’s been fairly steady, and we’re really looking forward to everything opening back up with travel, and we’re hoping to expect a lot of locals also coming in to view the renovations.”
Meanwhile, the Quesnel & District Museum and Archives hopes to open after Canada Day on Friday, July 2.
Last minute delays had prevented them from opening in May, said museum and heritage manager Elizabeth Hunter.
“There had to be an access ramp added to the west of the building out of the visitor centre, and it wasn’t in the original plan, so it just took a little working through,” Hunter said, adding railing had to be designed and approved.
“On the museum end, we have been waiting. There was quite a lot of work involved in reinstalling, and we had some funding to do some upgrades in terms of equipment and pieces, and just like everything else with COVID-19, it seems to take a very long time for things to be shipped.”
A mural is anticipated to be added to the front exterior of the building next week.
Read More: Museum eyes May reopening as renovations near completion
Although the pandemic will prevent a grand-opening celebration from taking place, Hunter said the City has hinted of a potential event this fall to mark the many projects which have been accomplished during this period.
“I’m pleased on a whole for the project,” she said.
“The museum itself, the layout for the galleries weren’t changed significantly, but I think people will find the front entry quite a change — bright and light and looking refreshed.”
During the renovations, museum staff kept busy at their temporary office located at City Hall with research inquiries, digitizing photographs and hosting virtual events.
Different heritage organizations met virtually in the spring to discuss and explore opportunities to develop a heritage network for the Cariboo Chilcotin, in which small community museums and historical societies assist each other with training and grant applications. Hunter said the Quesnel Museum had received funding from Heritage BC for that project initially to launch in spring 2020.
Do you have a comment about this story? email: rebecca.dyok@wltribune.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Quesnel Visitor Centre staff Waylon Wilde (left) and Faith Johnston are excited to be welcoming visitors this summer season. (Rebecca Dyok photo)
