Vancouver Aquarium reopening Monday

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Vancouver Aquarium to close its doors for almost a year and a half, the popular attraction is opening back up Monday.

The Aquarium closed due to the financial losses during the pandemic last September, and then was sold in April of this year to a U.S. consortium that owns the theme park Dollywood, and the Harlem Globetrotters.

“We are very delighted to be reopening. The Vancouver Aquarium has been one of the top attractions in this region and a leader in marine mammal rescue for over 60 years,” said Vancouver Aquarium Executive Director Clint Wright. “Everyone at the Aquarium has been working hard to prepare for this reopening after 17 months of partial or complete closure.”

The agreement between Ocean Wise and Herschend Enterprises has put the Aquarium in a “sustainable position” Wright tells NEWS 1130. However, he says “we’re still burning through money.”

“Because we haven’t been able to have any revenues through the through the front gate … it’s really just been all-expense right now and growing expense as we take on all of these modifications, enhancing exhibits,” he says. “So it will be great to get some people coming through to try and help balance that out a bit.”

Over the pandmemic, Wright explains despite the tough times, “we maintained full complement of animal care staff.”

“Animal Welfare is obviously our number one concern. And so they were really the main team that we kept on through this closure caused by the COVID pandemic,” he says.

“So the animals have been [taken] care of. But it’s been very different for them, because they’re not getting to see anywhere near as many people as they would typically. So for those animals that are gregarious, that enjoy seeing the people, this will be — I imagine a very — pretty exciting.”

The Aquarium reopening comes with a few changes amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, the Aquarium will be managing capacity through an online guest reservation system. This new reservation tool will make it easy for our guests to schedule their visit and ensure there is adequate capacity available.”

For the safety of visitors, staff and animals at the Aquarium, masks are recommended for everyone over the age of 12 and older who are not fully vaccinated.

– With files from Sonia Aslam

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