Artifacts will greet tourism as taxpayers handed Chemainus Valley Historical Society $150,000 to help build Mural Town's new visitor information centre.
The infocentre's relocation grant came Wednesday from North Cowichan councillors wishing to keep the tourism facility inside the society's museum being expanded by about 1,500 square feet.
The Chamber of Commerce's busy visitor centre will rent space in the revamped museum before downtown's old fire hall — now housing the visitor centre — is flattened for Chemainus' new library.
Mayor Jon Lefebure explained the $150,000 — from the municipal land development fund — is in North Cowichan's 2014 budget.
Council noted the grant will also help the historical society leverage other grants for the museum's makeover at the Waterwheel parking lot.
Also, more tourist traffic at the museum could boost the facility's operating funds, the mayor noted.