Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
Destination B.C., the province’s industry led destination organization, has announced a new three-year base funding model for community visitor centres including the centre in Fort St. James.
The funding will allow for new, stable and predictable funding for rural and smaller community services to acknowledge their ongoing contributions to the tourism industry.
Communities receiving annual funding for the next three years include: Burns Lake, ($10,000) Granisle, ($10,000) Houston, ($12,500) Vanderhoof, ($10,000) and Fort St. James. ($10,000)
Rosa Anne Howell, manager of the Fort St. James Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor Information Centre says that it is great to finally be confirmed. “We will not have to rely soley on grants and we will now have more opportunities such as hiring students,” Howell said.
From July to September, the Fort St, James Visitor Centre is open every day from 8am -5pm.
From September to July, it is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8am - 4:30pm.
“It’s so important,” Howell said. “The centre is a touching point for visitors to see what we have to offer such as Mount Pope, skiing and the Historic Park. And this community does have so much to offer,” Howell said.
For more information on the Visitor Services Network, please visit: www.destinationbc.ca/Programs/Visitor-Centre-network.aspx