The future of the former Ontario Travel Information Centre on westbound Highway 417 remains uncertain as Destination Prescott-Russell continues to wait for the provincial government to begin discussions about taking over the site.
The travel centre, located near the Ontario-Québec border along the Trans-Canada Highway, closed following the 2025 summer tourism season and has remained shuttered throughout 2026. The province previously announced it was reviewing the facility’s future, citing declining visitor numbers and noting that many of those using the location were commuters travelling between Montréal and Ottawa rather than tourists.
In January 2026, the Prescott-Russell Development Corporation (PRDC), through its Destination Prescott-Russell tourism division, expressed interest in assuming responsibility for the building and transforming it into a regional tourism information centre.
However, Regional Director of Economic Development and Tourism Nicolas Malboeuf says that, as of July, the organization is still waiting for Infrastructure Ontario to begin formal discussions regarding the property’s future.
In the meantime, the building remains vacant and locked. Provincial signage has been removed, flags no longer fly at the site, and the facility shows signs of neglect. While the highway exit remains accessible and is frequently used by motorists and transport trucks, the garbage bins have not been serviced.
On Friday, July 10, overflowing trash bins and garbage scattered around the site created an unwelcoming first impression for travellers entering Ontario from Québec.
Infrastructure Ontario, which manages provincial government properties, has not publicly commented on the future of the facility. Requests for comment regarding the site’s status have not yet received a response.
photo: Vankleek Hill Review