COLLINS LANDING — Construction continues on the North Country Welcome Center near the Thousand Islands Bridge in Collins Landing in Jefferson County, the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced. The welcome center is on track to open this fall. Funding for regional welcome centers was included in the 2018 state budget. To date, crews […]
COLLINS LANDING — Construction continues on the North Country Welcome Center near the Thousand Islands Bridge in Collins Landing in Jefferson County, the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced.
The welcome center is on track to open this fall. Funding for regional welcome centers was included in the 2018 state budget.
To date, crews have installed underground plumbing and power, finished rough site grading, and have “nearly” completed the foundation. The project involves about 100 construction jobs and all contractors working on the welcome center are New York firms, Cuomo’s office said in a June 1 news release.
Like other welcome centers across the state, the North Country welcome center will include regionally specific elements linked to the “history and natural beauty” of the St. Lawrence River, as well as the history of the area. Tourist attractions in the region include Boldt Castle on Heart Island in Alexandria Bay and the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton.
The welcome center will include a Taste NY Market with locally grown and sourced products from across the North Country. The state will also place multiple interactive I Love New York kiosks throughout the welcome center, allowing visitors to “design a trip itinerary and test their knowledge of the region,” per the release.
A large screen will promote regional tourism attractions and destinations. A boat from the Antique Boat Museum will “pay tribute” to the region’s boating heritage, and an artifact wall will include regionally specific items.
Outside the facility, visitors will see a large I Love New York sculpture and a Walk of Fame will recognize famous New Yorkers from the region. It’ll also have a playground for children.
“The North Country is home to some of the most beautiful natural attractions New York has to offer and this welcome center is perfectly situated to highlight that,” Cuomo said in the release. “From the Thousand Islands to the St. Lawrence River, this welcome center will encourage visitors to venture off the highways and experience these one-of-a-kind attractions.”
