The Vancouver Aquarium says it’s been able to raise about $625,000 in just a week since officials warned it could go bankrupt due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Ocean Wise Conservation Association, which operates the facility, said last week that it spends more than $1 million per month to care for the animals and keep the water circulating at the aquarium.
Since then, the organization said it has already raised the huge sum from more than 8,200 people — some of them aquarium members and some from as far away as Finland.
- B.C.’s deficit forecast up $450M to $13.8B after calculation errors on gas royalties
- TC Energy urges co-operation on growing natural gas network to meet ‘generational’ demand
- Manitoba offers to waive sales tax on major Port of Churchill investments
- New Brunswick aiming to attract $30 billion in investment at Toronto summit
Since the facility closed on March 17, Ocean Wise said it has undertaken several cost-cutting measures, including laying off 60 per cent of its staff and reducing hours for others, suspending operations at its Marine Mammal Rescue Centre in Vancouver, and voluntary pay cuts for executives.
Staff remain in “productive” talks with the provincial government, the association said, but donors are still needed to ensure it survives the pandemic.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.