B.C. Wildlife Park hopes to lift spirits and revenue with Wildlights Festival

The B.C. Wildlife Park in Kamloopsis hoping its annual WildlightsFestival will help recover some of the revenue lost as a result of a drop in tourism due to this summer's wildfires.

Glenn Grant, executive director of the B.C. Wildlife Park, said during July and August 2017, the park saw8,000 fewer visitors compared to those months in 2016. He saidthat adds up to a loss of about $80,000.

"Having a good Wildlights and gaining some of that revenue back goes a long way in looking after all the wildlife here," Grant said.

Grant said the financialloss is a big hitand he doesn't want to have to reduce services to make up for it, but the money alsocan't be taken out of the cost ofcaring for the 263 animals at the park.

"A lot of work goes into the care of those animals," he said.

On average, the B.C. Wildlife Park sees16,000 people during its WildlightsFestival.

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Grant saidthe park will need to see more people come through the doors in order to cover the lost revenue andraise funds for upcoming projects, like an education facility that is estimated to cost $850,000.

To encourage the extra crowds, the park has installed approximately600,000 lights.

Grant said this yearthe park will also offer more children's activities.

"We found over the past few years, kids really want to be active," he said.

Along with lights, there will be a ball hockey station, a winter-themed bean bag toss and ring toss.

The Wildlights Festival runs Dec. 15 to Jan. 7.

With files from Doug Herbert