Visitor Welcome Centre

Parliament Hill is one of Canada’s most important heritage sites and popular tourist attractions. To improve visitor experience and enhance security to this iconic site, a new Visitor Welcome Centre is being built.

The new building will be designed and built in two phases. Once completed, the project will link the West, Centre and East Block buildings.

Building a more welcoming experience – Phase 1

The Visitor Welcome Centre will be a modern four-level underground complex, designed to blend perfectly with the historical structures and natural surroundings of Parliament Hill.

In front of the main entrance, a plaza with trees and seating will offer a gathering and waiting area for visitors. From there, visitors will enter the buildings through a subtle, yet elegant, main entrance on the west side of Centre Block.

Inside, visitors will be greeted in a bright and open space that is sophisticated and engaging.

The 21st century screening facilities will help ensure the safety of visitors and those working on Parliament Hill.

The Visitor Welcome Centre will have:

• an arrival hall
• a security post
• scanning areas
• an information and ticketing desk
• an operations kiosk
• seating
• a gathering space
• washrooms
• coat storage
• a gift shop

Once screened, visitors will be able to discover the beauty and history of Canada’s Parliament buildings.

Construction of Phase 1

Construction of Phase 1 of the Visitor Welcome Centre, which is occurring at the same time as the rehabilitation of the West Block, will prepare to welcome its first visitors for the opening session of Parliament in the fall of 2018.

Here is a snapshot of the Phase 1 construction:

• Scope: Build the first phase of the Visitor Welcome Centre.
• Project status: Excavation for Phase 1 began in 2015. Construction began in 2016 and the centre will be ready to welcome its first visitors by the opening session of Parliament in the fall of 2018.
• Approved budget: $130 million (excluding Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)). The overall budget is not limited to the construction work. The budget also includes items such as:
  • planning, professional and consultant fees;
  • architectural design fees;
  • security measures;
  • fit-up of interior spaces;
  • furniture;
  • information technology equipment;
  • risks, escalation and contingencies.
• Job opportunities: The overall project is estimated to help create or sustain approximately 600 jobs.
• Design contract: Competitively awarded to IBI Group with Moriyama & Teshima Architects, of Ottawa, Ontario. (Consult the contract history: Contract number EP758-122489/001/FE.)
• Construction management services contract: Competitively awarded to PCL Constructors Canada Inc., of Ottawa, Ontario.