Visitor Centre & Sasquatch Museum Project

The New Accessible Visitor Centre and Sasquatch Museum

With great honour Tourism Harrison, Sts’Ailes First Nations and the Village of Harrison Hot Springs announce the official opening of the Harrison Visitor Centre and Sasquatch Museum, sharing the story of the legendary Sasq’ets and Harrison River Valley heritage. Our building has been meticulously designed to accommodate a wide range of needs, with ramps, elevators, and accessible paths integrated seamlessly into our spaces. This ensures that every visitor, whether they are able-bodied or have diverse abilities, can navigate our center with ease and comfort.

Our vision of accessibility extends to creating an inclusive environment where every visitor feels welcome and valued. We believe that the beauty and wonder of the Harrison River Valley should be accessible to all, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.

Three times the size of the original museum, We invite you to explore our exhibits, immerse yourself in the rich history and natural beauty of the area, and engage with our knowledgeable staff, who are always ready to assist. We are here to ensure that your visit is enjoyable, educational, and memorable, regardless of any physical challenges you may face.

Our building and services include:

For your safety:

Dedicated accessible parking space connecting directly with a ramp to the main entrance
Cane-detectable guardrail, accessible bench, overhang providing shelter from inclement weather, door visibility strips, and power-operated doors with foot- and hand-free activation controls at the main entrance.
Safety cameras are located at various locations around the building.

Throughout the building:

Emergency system with visual and audible fire alarms
Nonslip resin epoxy flooring
Elevator
Large font signage
Braille signage
Flange signage

Visitor Centre & Sasquatch Museum:

All the above plus the following:

Universally accessible reception desk with dual counter heights and knee clearance
Assistive listening devices with induction hearing loop
Accessible retail display units
Washroom with grab bars, power outlet, emergency call button, accessible sink, visual and audible fire alarm
Minimum gravity soap dispenser and paper towel holder
Throughout the museum, all displays are located at an accessible height, with plenty of room for maneuvering
The Longhouse room features dimmed lighting for sensory control and bench seating with room for mobility devices

Tourism Harrison is proud to be the first Visitor Information Centre and Sasquatch Museum in British Columbia to receive the Rick Hansen Foundation Gold Certification (RHFAC) for accessibility.

What does Gold Certification mean?
It is a rating system that measures the accessibility of the building promoting increased meaningful access through the adoption of Universal Design Principles.

To see our journey to achieve this milestone, explore below!

“Accessibility takes into consideration the many different ways people experience their community and the world around them. Ensuring spaces are accessible, safe and inclusive means that people of all abilities can fully participate and engage in the places where they live, learn, work and play. By focusing on accessibility and inclusivity at a gold-level standard in the design and construction of a new facility, the Harrison Visitor Information Centre & Sasquatch Museum will lead the way in ensuring visitors feel welcomed and can immerse themselves in the history, artifacts and lore of this beautiful region.”
Rick Hansen, Founder, Rick Hansen Foundation