November 23, 2006

FORMER MAYORS SUPPORT AQUARIUM PLANS

“For more than 50 years, the Vancouver Aquarium has played an important role in our city.”

Vancouver, BC:  Four former Vancouver mayors have signed on as supporters of the Vancouver Aquarium’s revitalization and expansion plans, which go before the Vancouver Park Board on November 27. In their letter of support, Art Phillips, Mike Harcourt, Philip Owen and Larry Campbell credit the Aquarium for raising important education and conservation issues with visitors, schoolchildren, and Vancouver residents.

“Like any great city, Vancouver is a work in progress and our community institutions must adapt to meet the needs of a growing population. To that end, the Aquarium has proposed an essential revitalization and expansion program that will improve its animal habitats and public spaces, and provide even more opportunities to grow its legendary education and hands-on community programs and activities,” said the four former mayors.

The public consultation process on the Aquarium’s future plans was one of the most comprehensive in the city, involving more than 4,000 people. The public consultation revealed 89 per cent overall public support for the revitalization and expansion of the Aquarium in Stanley Park.

“As former Mayors of Vancouver we applaud the Vancouver Aquarium for planning its future to enhance the quality of life for our city and our citizens,” said each of the former mayors. “We encourage Vancouver residents to voice their support for an expanded Vancouver Aquarium that can teach an ever increasing number of visitors, schoolchildren and adults about the world’s marine habitats and the importance of conserving and protecting them for future generations.”

Details of the Vancouver Aquarium’s plans can be found at www.aquariumconsultation.ca. The Park Board meeting on November 27 begins at 5 p.m. at Hastings Community Centre.

To read the mayors' letter, click here.

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For further information, please contact:

Brenda Jones

Manager, Public Relations

publicrelations@vanaqua.org

publicrelations@vanaqua.org