Bloedel Conservatory is slated to be closed
In spite of our efforts to save the Bloedel Conservatory, and despite the possible illegality of the decision to close or repurpose the Conservatory, it appears that the Vancouver Park Board is moving ahead with a decision to CLOSE the conservatory as of March 1, 2010. They will accept expressions of interest including business cases that allow for use of the Bloedel Conservatory in a new or similar capacity until April 30, 2010. If the Park Board accepts our proposal, Friends of the Bloedel Association will operate as a non-profit society with the following purposes:
It's been in operation for 40 years. It's been break even for all but the last 5 years of operation. You know, the last 5 years which have included sewer construction and Canada Line construction along Cambie, making the entire area around Queen E park / the Conservatory a giant pain to be around.
The trees and the entire ecosystem have grown inside the dome, and would need to be cut down and dragged out in pieces. The birds and other animals have spent their entire life in captivity, and they have no idea what they're going to do with them. I've gone there several times -- it's a fantastic escape in our fall/winter/spring, to go inside and bask in the tropical warmth, take pictures, and enjoy the bird life and surroundings.
They need to raise $250K to keep the conservatory open (that's their budget for an entire year), and they clearly need some help with their web presence & fund raising. This sounds like a job for Fundrazr…
Here are photos I've taken at the conservatory in the past: