Visitor centre gets high-tech

Interactive visual experiences and new technologies are set to make the new Albany Visitor Centre an attraction in its own right, as it officially opens today.

Boasting virtual reality headsets and touchscreen technology, project leader Hamish Fell said the long-awaited tourism hub will allow visitors to see Albany in ways never experienced before.

“We want the visitor centre to be an attraction in its own right, something that will be promoted by word-of-mouth and encourage people to come and experience the centre and learn more about the region, what it has to offer and hopefully stay a little longer,” he said.

“We’ve also done something pretty special with the windows at night, so there will definitely be some surprises when it opens.”

The $2.6 million project has gone more than $350,000 over budget, as revealed by the Advertiser last month, but Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said the centre would be a landmark in the town square revitalisation.

“About 150,000 people a year go through the visitor centre so it brings them into the centre of town,” he said.

“I think it’s just a magnificent improvement on what we had before. Obviously the technology that is in here, the ability for people to be able to get the information easily ... and what we can display in terms of what the region has to offer and what Albany has to offer in particular.

“It will be a great addition to our tourism product down here.”

The Albany Public Library also underwent a major transformation, with $200,000 in upgrades nearing completion.