December 30, 2006

AQUARIUM APPLAUDS REOPENING OF PARK DRIVE IN STANLEY PARK

Vancouver, BC: Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan and Park Board chair Ian Robertson announced today that crews have cleared all of Pipeline Road and Park Drive in Stanley Park and these roads are now open for visitors to access the Vancouver Aquarium.

“The Aquarium reopened December 18, but people were still confused about what parts of the park were open,” says Aquarium President John Nightingale. “December attendance figures at the Aquarium are down 20 per cent. It's good news that Stanley Park is now completely open. It should reduce confusion amongst visitors and we are pleased that it will be even easier for them to access the park.

“The Aquarium appreciates how hard crews have been working to clear tree debris from the roads. In the wake of the storm, the Aquarium announced a donation of $5,000 to the Stanley Park Tree Fund and will be matching any cash donations made on-site by visitors until January 5.”

During winter break, December 26 - January 7, the Aquarium expects up to 2,500 visitors a day to enjoy Beluga Bash activities such as performances by children’s entertainers Bobs and Lolo, crafts, face painting, a scavenger hunt, and additional dolphin and beluga shows.

The Aquarium is open on December 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., New Year’s Day from noon to 5 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily beginning January 2.

The Vancouver Aquarium is a non-profit, self-supporting organization, which receives no annual operational funding from any level of government.

- 30 -

For further information, please contact:

Brenda Jones

Manager, Public Relations

publicrelations@vanaqua.org