Visitor centre seeking new status

Library staff in Turner Valley has high hopes its initiative to showcasing the region’s attractions to tourists gets provincial status this season.

The Sheep River Library received the Town’s endorsement to apply for provincial accreditation as an Alberta Visitor Information Provider. The library became home to the town’s visitor information centre a year ago.

Monique LeBlanc, Turner Valley community services and business development manager, said provincial status would put the community of 2,500 people on the Tourism Alberta map.

“(It) provides incentive for people to stop in Turner Valley and gather local and regional information,” LeBlanc said. “(It) increases partnerships, marketing opportunities, communications with Alberta Parks ranger station regarding campsite availability in Sandy McNabb/Bluerock, promotion of local events and businesses, encourages investment of tourism dollars.”

The Alberta Culture and Tourism Visitor Information Centre Accreditation Program was developed by the Province to support a provincial network of visitor information centres. It consists of more than 100.

Communities that reach accreditation status receive free tourism signs to help visitors identify the location of the centre, networking and learning opportunities, customer service training, free provincial publications, inclusion in various publications and maps and discounts on items like maps, pins and postcards.

“Formal signage on the highway would be tremendous,” said LeBlanc.

To be approved, applicants must meet a list of criteria, including having available washrooms and providing wifi.

The Sheep River Library began its role as the visitor information centre on behalf of the Town last year.

The Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce closed the previous centre, a small building north of the library that operated from 2009 to 2014, after it became too expensive and required too much work to operate.

LeBlanc said Town administration worked closely with the Sheep River Library staff to provide visitor information services within the facility.

“We have provided some grant funding along with staff training,” said LeBlanc. “The Cochrane visitor information centre director provided afternoon training to (Sheep River Library staff) - everything from how to set up brochures to signage. The staff seemed to get quite a bit out of it. I feel very confident with them going forward to continue representing Turner Valley and the area.”

LeBlanc said the library provides a number of amenities that weren’t available at the previous visitor information centre, including access to wifi, washrooms, longer hours, a phone and a highly-visible, convenient location.

“Library staff worked with the Town to develop the centre and took a leadership role in the continuation of the centre and applied for accreditation directly,” she said. “Staff is committed to helping all entities become successful in attracting tourism investment.”

The Town estimates 131 visitors and tourists were directly served at the Sheep River Library last spring and summer, said LeBlanc.

“While the numbers that were actually tracked seemed low, from conversations and anecdotally there seemed to be more attraction with the public facility and washroom,” she said. “They often travel through town getting information on locations and come back to participate in events and spend some time in Turner Valley and Black Diamond and area.”

The 131 visitors doesn’t include non-library members who used the facility and didn’t ask specific information regarding tourism, LeBlanc said

“Likely many non-members who used the Internet, helped themselves to publications and used the washrooms,” she said. “Service occurs year round but the peak is in the spring and summer.”

The Town of Turner Valley budgets $5,000 towards the centre annually for training and materials not covered by the Province.

LeBlanc said the Town’s contract for its visitor information services is reviewed annually, but that could change.

“It is expected a long-term contract will be established if it is viewed as mutually beneficial and providing value to both parties,” she said.

LeBlanc said the Town is now ramping up its services with a broader selection of publications, more information on events and community activities and partnerships with Travel Alberta, Tourism Calgary and area businesses.