NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — A new welcome center was unveiled Monday at Western New York's largest tourist destination - officially dubbed the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park.
Governor Kathy Hochul and various state officials made the trip to Niagara Falls to cut the ribbon on the new 28,000-square-foot building and outdoor welcome area.
“There is no place in the world like Niagara Falls, and our State park has always been a beacon of natural beauty and historical significance, captivating visitors with its awe-inspiring landscapes and iconic waterfalls,” said Governor Hochul.
The center is a far cry from what once stood on the same site just two and a half years ago. That's when park officials told 2 On Your Side that the old welcome center built in the mid-1980s was just too small to handle the millions of visitors they see every year.
Last year, Niagara Falls State Park welcomed over 9 million visitors according to Governor's Office.
The park is the oldest state park in the nation and was created in 1885.
"The building itself if you look around is environmentally friendly and is much better designed to meet the needs of the traveling public than the one that sat here before," said State Parks Commissioner Eric Kulleseid.
The two-story space features glass walls, and a low roof to maximize views of Niagara Falls.
A new information area and foyer are located on the first floor, a new food court, bathrooms, and gift shop are on the lower level. An additional bathroom building is located next to the new welcome center. The adjacent administration building was also repurposed to be a community space.
A final phase for the center will be completed at a later date to add an interpretive museum along with an immersive experience for guests that will highlight Niagara Fall's Indigenous, industrial, and natural history.
"You know this is a world-class park but when you look at the previous building when you invited people in, it really was a substandard building but this is something that's deserving of the name world-class because it truly is," said Governor Kathy Hochul.
The building is named after late Buffalo Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson, whose foundation contributed $8 million towards the project.
Along with the welcome center ribbon cutting, the Governor announced that two additional Niagara Falls attractions would receive state funding through a grant program from Empire State Development.
The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center is getting $4 million to help with renovating its historic auditorium and theatre space.
Oakwood Cemetery will receive $2.25 million to help restore the Chapel and other historic buildings.
Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino thanked the Governor for her commitment to the state park and the City of Niagara Falls.
"My administration's goal has been to bring as much excitement within the city as there is here in our state park," said Restaino.
The new welcome center is located just past Niagara Falls State Park's new entrance area off Prospect Street.
