Vancouver conservatory likely saved

The Vancouver Park Board is poised to approve a plan that will see the previously threatened Bloedel Conservatory remain open.

Commissioners voted in December 2009 to close the conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park to help deal with a $2.8-million cut to the park board's budget.

The dome-shaped building is kept at subtropical temperatures year-round and is home to a variety of exotic plants and 100 species of birds, which fly free in the building.

"It's a jewel, an absolute jewel in our city," said John Coupar, who is with the group Friends of the Bloedel, which is spearheading the effort to keep the conservatory open.

"You just have to look around this place and see the beauty, the wildlife, all the educational opportunities available for kids."

Severalproposals

The park board now has four proposals for the future of the 41-year-old conservatory.

One is a joint submission from Friends of the Bloedel and Vancouver's Vandusen Botanical Garden.

Park board chair Aaron Jasper would not reveal any details of the proposals, but told CBC News that it looks as ifthe conservatory will stay open.

"Our staff have been doing their due diligence, going over the proposals," Jasper said.

A park board committee will vote on the proposals next week and a final vote by the full board is scheduled for September.