VANCOUVER AQUARIUM SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON A REVITALIZATION AND EXPANSION PROPOSAL

Vancouver, BC: The Aquarium today confirmed that the public consultation on its proposed revitalization and expansion will be held from September 25 – October 30, 2006.

The Vancouver Aquarium is proposing a revitalization and expansion to improve its animal habitats and public spaces, and is seeking community input on the desirability of the proposal. 

The proposed revitalization will benefit animals in the following ways:

• Larger pools, which could accommodate up to eight whales and eight dolphins, will provide more room for swimming
  
• Deeper pools with more varied underwater landscapes will provide environmental stimulation
  
• More pools will give these highly social animals more room to interact as individuals and families
  
• Dedicated medical and maternity facilities will ensure appropriate care for all animals including mothers and calves
  
• Ensure excellent water quality
  
• Provide space for new species such as sea birds and beavers
  
• Better conservation of species in-the-wild through enhanced public understanding of the natural world.

The Aquarium is conducting a comprehensive community consultation through stakeholder meetings, focus groups, one-on-one interviews, a public attitude survey, newspaper inserts, public open houses, an on-line feedback form, and a public information line.

Consultation materials, including information about proposal benefits and impacts, will be available at www.aquariumconsultation.ca on September 25th, 2006.  Public input will be collected until October 30, 2006. The public is encouraged to provide feedback by attending one of the open houses listed below, completing the on-line feedback form or participating in any of the other consultation events.

Public Open Houses

How Consultation Feedback will be Used

Consultation input will be independently verified and analyzed by Synovate, an

internationally recognized market research firm. Results will be summarized in a

Consultation Summary Report, which will be presented to the Vancouver Park Board and made available during subsequent public meetings. Public feedback will be considered along with technical and financial information prior to finalizing the project.

About the Aquarium

The Vancouver Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Canada. It is home to more than 70,000 creatures, including fish, invertebrates, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Over 900,000 visitors come to the Aquarium each year, including 60,000 schoolchildren. The Vancouver Aquarium is a self-supporting, non-profit organization, receiving no operational funding from government. The Aquarium’s Board of Directors includes 44 community volunteers. The Aquarium has 350 employees and 900 volunteers.

Its mission is to effect the conservation of aquatic life through display and interpretation, education, research and direct action.

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Media Contact:

Brenda Jones, Vancouver Aquarium                                                 

Tel: 604-659-3516

Email: Brenda.Jones@vanaqua.org

For More Information on the Consultation Process:

Project Information Line: 604-659–3569

Fax:     604-659-3515

Email:   aquariumconsultation@vanaqua.org

Web:    www.aquariumconsultation.ca (As of September 25th, 2006)

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