Controversial tourism centre a huge hit in Kelowna

KELOWNA – Despite a lot of criticism prior to opening in June, the new Tourist Visitor Centre has far surpassed Tourism Kelowna’s expectations.

In the first six months of operations, 108,000 people visited the facility, well ahead of the original goal of 100,000 visitors in a year, according to a news release from Tourism Kelowna. The organization held it’s Annual General meeting today, Dec. 11.

Opponents objected to its location on Kelowna’s waterfront.

Tom Killingsworth, chair of the Tourism Board of Directors, told the meeting that the building was opened on time and under budget.

“We are proud of our accomplishments and appreciative to have an amazing operational team and an engaged volunteer board made up of hard-working individuals, each representing different elements of our industry but all coming together for the best interests of the destination,” Killingsworth said in the release. “This year proved yet again that we have the right team in place, working on the right priorities, at the right time.”

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