Do we really need a consultant from New Zealand to help facilitate a cultural center here in BC? I am sure there is enough knowledge, in the people whose culture is actually going to be on display, to do the job.

The port is heading to be a world class one. Good job to all those involved there.

Cultural pavilion, eh? How about two Chinese restaurants and a smoked salmon booth? I'm "hungry" for culture.

Campbell River beat Rupert to it. From the site linked below come these words:

“The Wei Wai Kum Cruise Ship Terminal is proud to be Canada’s first Aboriginal-owned and themed cruise ship port-of-call. A visit to the Wei Wai Kum terminal promises a distinctly memorable experience. Upon arrival, visitors see a traditional village complete with totem poles and a Big House, providing a window into Laichwiltach history and culture.

“Visitors disembarking from the ship are met by greeters and dancers and hear the sounds of drums echoing throughout the passage. Local marketplace areas provide an opportunity to taste traditional foods and make purchases from local artisans and craftspeople.

“A traditional carving shed gives onlookers a first-hand look at First Nation carvers in action. Visitors who book the Big House shore program can watch dances performed at the Laichwiltach potlatch ceremony, learn the history of the Big House and savour traditional barbequed salmon.”
http://www.crband.ca/cruise-ship-terminal-campbell-river-bc


The article linked below was written in June 05, 2007:

“The official opening of the Wei Wai Kum Cruise Ship Terminal, the first Aboriginal-themed and owned cruise ship terminal in the world. It officially opened with the arrival of Regent Cruises’ 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner.

“THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD, the First Nation-themed Wei Wai Kum Cruise Ship Terminal officially opened today with the arrival of Regent Cruises’ 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner. Owned and operated by the Campbell River Indian Band, this $24.5 million terminal development WILL BRING HUGE, LONG-TERM ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO CAMPBELL RIVER AND THE ENTIRE REGIONAL ECONOMY WITH THE CREATION OF OVER 200 JOBS AND ESTIMATED AVERAGE ANNUAL IMPACTS OF $11.4 MILLION.”
http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/77_8124.asp

Some interesting reactions from passengers in this article … wonder if the New Zealander knows about the “local” scene and even understands the nature of the Alaskan cruises. What is successful in New Zealand may not work in a short, international cruise where most are likely interested in Alaska and not Rupert and the like.

Then we have this:
Dec. 14, 2010
With no ships on the horizon, the Campbell River Indian Band is rethinking its cruise-ship business and may try to recast it as a niche operation that would serve a single cruise operator, says the business manager for the facility.

“The band is considering another business model,” Darryl Anderson, business representative for the Wei Wai Kum terminal, said on Monday. “Instead of offering your services to [multiple] companies – in that case, everybody gets the same experience – at the other end of the spectrum, could you offer something that’s unique to a given cruise brand?”

The $24.5-million facility, built with nearly $10-million in federal funds, drew
1. four ships in its first year,
2. five in 2008 and
3. one pocket cruise ship – and a total of 162 passengers – in 2009, and
4. no ships in 2010
5. The facility has no ships booked for the 2011 cruise season and,
6. at this point, no indications of any calls in 2012.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/article1838094.ece

So will the feds and the province put more money into the same game a few hours north at another port? They can’t be THAT stupid!!!

Oh wait, this is government. I forgot how stupid government can be … LOL

terminal = cultural pavillion

i think not