Visitor centre at The Forks set for major facelift

Travel Manitoba's visitor centre at the Forks is getting a major facelift.

Tourism officials hope the changes encourage more people to travel around the province and enjoy unique experiences.

"We have much to offer visitors to our province and we also want to encourage Manitobans to explore everything this scenic province has to offer," said Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Ron Lemieux.

"We're hoping that the exciting changes planned for the visitor centre will inspire even more people to enjoy our tourism destination spots as well as camping in the great outdoors, cultural festivals, museums and recreational opportunities."

Construction will begin this summer with the new visitor centre slated to open in spring 2015.

During the construction period, visitor services will be provided in a space inside The Forks Market, at the former Sushi Train location.

The new centre will include interactive displays and be large enough to accommodate all of Travel Manitoba's Winnipeg staff. Those currently working at the head office on Carlton Street will be relocated to The Forks.

That is expected to result in operational savings of more than $300,000 over 10 years.

"Tourism is an important, growing industry, with the Conference Board of Canada predicting tourism spending will grow by 5.1 per cent in Manitoba over the next two years," Lemieux said.

"With new attractions like the Journey to Churchill exhibit at Assiniboine Park set to open this summer and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights opening in the fall, Manitoba is ready to open its doors to the world."