Historic Pacific Central Station is tour operator's new home

VIA Rail Canada Inc. announced Fresh Tracks Canada, a leading Canadian tour operator, is the new tenant at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, British Columbia, for the next 10 years. 

The arrival of Fresh Tracks and 75 of its employees signals a shift in VIA Rail's key travel hubs as they continue to evolve into vibrant community destinations, VIA Rail officials said in a press release. VIA Rail operates the station.

"Welcoming Fresh Tracks Canada into our historic station demonstrates the success of VIA Rail's investments in transforming Pacific Central Station to be more accessible and welcoming to partners and local businesses," said Mathieu Paquette, lead executive at VIA Rail. With Fresh Tracks establishing its offices at Pacific Central Station, the more than 100-year-old landmark station continues to serve the region in new ways, according to VIA Rail officials.

The news comes as VIA Rail continues to invest in its pan-Canadian network of heritage stations, in step with commitments in its VIAction 2030 plan. Pacific Central Station alone has received more than C$8 million  in upgrades over the past two years, including HVAC, structural supports, automated building systems and controls as well as rejuvenated office spaces.

Designated as a Heritage Railway Station in 1991, the terminal's original neoclassical revivalist architecture from 1919 has since been preserved alongside modern amenities such as dining, retail and other services. A terminal stop for iconic railway lines such as the Canadian and Amtrak Cascades, the station remains a key multimodal gateway for the western region.