The City of Yellowknife has just announced the grand opening of the newly relocated Yellowknife Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in the Centre Square Mall. The Visitor Centre will officially open its doors on September 12, 2022, at 12 p.m. to the public.
In 2021, the City applied for, and received, funding from CanNor’s Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North (IDEANORTH) program, as well as increased funding from the GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment. The project also received approval to use $125,000 of the City’s Downtown Improvement Reserve to relocate the Yellowknife VIC from the lower level of City Hall to the Centre Square Mall. This relocation work began in April 2021.
The VIC’s new location features wood accents, a moss wall and large windows. There is a space to charge personal electronic devices, or users may opt to use the provided tablets to search for tourist information during their visit. Work on the space was completed with input from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, including the guidance to incorporate natural, living, and local materials into the design, and including specific heritage information.
The arts community provided insight regarding the non-commercial gallery space, which will feature the spectacular work of NWT artists on rotation. This first art show titled ‘Icons and Archetypes’ will feature the new portraits by Melaw Nakehk’o, and is curated by Sarah Swan. The VIC also features an Aurora Gallery which includes an aurora simulator and will serve as a welcoming space for special guest speakers.
Opening hours for the VIC will be daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
