The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce plans to rebuild the Visitor Information Centre located along the town waterfront.
Board chair Matt Breedlove informed town council, at special meeting on June 1, that a new building including a much-needed public washroom in the area would be better-suited to the function of providing a positive visitor experience.
The chamber is also looking to construct a mobile visitor information kiosk that can be set up in the village or be taken to different events, with the goal of highlighting what the businesses community have to offer.
“We can really add exposure to our community that way for sure,” said Breedlove, who went on to request the town cover half of the $35,000 cost.
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Mayor Brian Wiese made a successful motion to direct staff to meet with the chamber and bring a co-ordinated approach report back to council in the near future.
“It’s positive move and we hope for the best outcome possible,” said Wiese.
Coun. Scott Harrison and Ann Skipsey agreed the visitor centre is an old building that needs to be replaced. It’s not a project the town is planning to do immediately as the budget for the year has already been set. But Harrison said this should set up a good discussion for the community to think about.
“This is an asset for the community,” said Harrison. “What is the best location for that asset and how much are we going to spend on that asset? So just flagging that now as a conversation over the next few years.”