Singleton visitor economy boosted with reopening of VIC
Published on 30 November 2021
Singleton’s newly refurbished Visitor Information Centre (VIC) will be unveiled Monday 6 December, just in time for the Christmas school holidays.
Located in the heart of Townhead Park on the New England Highway in Singleton’s town centre, the VIC offers tourist information and unique souvenirs, and will also act as the gateway to the Singleton Arts + Cultural Centre, due to open in March 2022.
Vicki Brereton, Council’s Director Organisation + Community Capacity said 11 years since it opened, the refurbishment of the VIC symbolises Council’s renewed approach to visitor experience, enabling the centre to tell the stories of Singleton as a destination, as well as enable more opportunities for local product and industry promotion.
Works included internal and external painting, roofing, window screening, and new joinery and display spaces.
“It’s an exciting time for Singleton with the unveiling of our refreshed Visitor Information Centre, the new Arts and Cultural Centre close to completion as well as the recent updates to Townhead Park precinct, all of which encourage visitors to stop and spend a while in Singleton while supporting the ongoing growth of our visitor economy,” Ms Brereton said.
“Because the existing VIC building connects to the new Arts and Cultural Centre, it was important that the two spaces were cohesive and connected – not just physically – thereby delivering on our vision to ‘celebrate Singleton’s creative life and identity’.
“The renovation also enables us to improve how we showcase local operators and producers, as well as Council’s ability to support local businesses.”
Ms Brereton said the Visitor Information Centre will play a vital role in boosting the local tourism industry which has been heavily impacted by lockdowns, especially as appetite for travel grows stronger and summer school holidays just around the corner. Pre- COVID figures showed about half a million tourists visit the Singleton local government area each year, which is a rise of 26% over the past five years. The value of the Singleton visitor economy output has also increased to $140million per year, growing by 32% since 2015.
“Townhead Park is a great source of community pride as a hub for visitors, arts and culture and recreation and leisure, and these works not only promote but symbolise what makes the Singleton area so special,” she said.
“We are extremely excited to relaunch this fantastic facility to service and inspire our residents and visitors alike, and everyone who visits in our reopening week will go into the draw to win a Christmas hamper full of fantastic local product with the winner to be announced at Council’s Christmas on John Street event on 10 December.
“Better yet, you can tick off your Christmas shopping and get an extra chance in the draw by spending $20.
“I encourage everyone, local or visiting, to stop in and take a look at the new-look centre and plan your next trip in Singleton and beyond.”
The Singleton Visitor Information Centre currently attracts 12,000 visitors a year and is conveniently located in Townhead Park on the New England Highway in Singleton’s town centre. The Centre will open from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.
ENDS