Vancouver conservatory stays open

Vancouver's park boardhas approved a plan to partner the Bloedel Conservatory with the VanDusen Botanical Garden.

The plan, submitted jointly by Friends of the Bloedel and VanDusen Botanical Garden, means the previously threatened conservatory will remain open.

The dome-shaped Bloedel is home to a variety of exotic plants and 100 species of birds flying free inthe building, which iskept at subtropical temperatures year-round.

The rescue plan was approved a meeting of the park board's services and budget committeeon Tuesday evening, after thecommittee heard from speakers representing the two best proposals received.

The plan is designed to streamline operationsof the two organizations. It's expected that under the partnership the conservatory will likely break even next year.

Commissioners voted in December to close the 41-year-old conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park to help deal with a $2.8-million cut to the park board's budget.

However, after public protest, four proposals were submitted to the board to save the Bloedel.

The plan will be put to the full park board for a final decision on Sept. 20.