The operators of the Vancouver Aquarium announced today (Aug. 31) it was closing the facility indefinitely.
Ocean Wise said it will "temporarily pause public programming" at the aquarium starting Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The organization added that it will take the time to "focus on transforming to a new model" which addresses the financial impact the pandemic has had on the facility, as well as focus on accelerating ocean conservation.
More than 200 people are expected to lose their jobs as a result of this closure.
The pandemic forced the aquarium to shut down for months, depriving the facility of ticket sales and revenue.
“During this time, animals at the Aquarium will continue to receive world-class care from a team of 75 specialized staff, including biologists, trainers and on-site veterinary team,” its release stated.
Ocean Wise said COVID-19 is to blame for an almost 80 per cent decline in ticket sales at the facility, which has had to limit the number of visitors on its premises as result of the pandemic.
The not-for-profit Aquarium was losing more than $1 million per month, said Ocean Wise CEO Lasse Gustavsson.
"The Aquarium [will] temporarily pause public programming and focus on to a new model that is financially sustainable in the long-term and accelerates our mission of ocean conservation. This temporary pause, although not what we would ever have hoped for, is a critical moment in our history.Previously, in late March, the aquarium laid off 345 employees, amounting to 60 per cent of its workforce.
- with files from Sarah Grochowski, Vancouver Is Awesome
(via Luke McAdam/Ocean Wise)
