A tourist information center is an integral part of any
community providing a starting point for exploration of all that a town has to offer.
In 1993, the Tourist Information Center became the Visitors Bureau. Forming its own Society,
it moved into its current location at 4690 Marine Avenue. The building they moved into has
an extensive and varied history, though it did not always have the same address.
Formerly known as 62 Marine Avenue, it was first home to Burrel's General Store in 1925.
Burrel's provided supplies for residents who were living in a new part of town called Westview
Village. About ten years later it became the Westview Light, Power and Waterworks Building
and locals still remember going there as children to pay the bills with their parents.
When the
Westview Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1938, they needed a home for their
equipment. Much of it had been bought by the Light, Power and Waterworks District, so it was
only natural for them to be located in the same building as their supporters.
During the years of World War II, the firefighters did double duty as members of the ARP -
Air Raid Patrol. They would go from door to door, asking people to turn out their lights at
night for fear of an air attack by the Japanese.
It is unclear as to when the building was expanded, but the new upper level was also home to
the The Public Library.
In 1963, what would be the longest tenant thus far, moved in. The Royal Canadian Mounted
Police had their offices, dispatch and jail there for the next 27 years, until 1990.
Today, the staff at the Visitors Bureau cheerfully dispenses information and advice to
tourists and locals discovering Powell River's diversity, as well as information about all of
British Columbia and other provinces and states in North America. The Bureau is also heavily
involved in the coordination of educational workshops, projects, and promotional activities for
tourism development in the region.
