Ponoka has declared the building that previously housed the town’s visitor information centre as surplus property.

Council has directed administration to advertise the property for sale for $385,000, based on the findings of a commercial real estate appraiser.

The building has been vacant since October 2018, when the town’s planning and development department relocated to Ponoka’s administrative offices on the second floor of the new civic building.

Widespread use of the internet has largely replaced the need for a visitor information centre in Ponoka, says the town, adding visitor numbers at the facility had fallen in recent years.

Tourism information about Ponoka and the central Alberta region is now available on display racks in the entrance to the Ponoka Civic Building and at the Calnash Ag Event Centre in Ponoka.

“Selling the building is in the community’s best interest,” says Ponoka Mayor Rick Bonnett.

“The building is an attractive, newer facility in a prime commercial location on Highway 2A. The sale of the property will generate new assessment and increased tax income for the town going forward.”