Article content continued

“Even when we do get back up and running, the closure will have a big impact on our whole year as we missed out on Spring Break revenues, which would normally be a very busy time of year for us,” added Sessions.

On Wednesday, however, Gustavsson admitted that without help, Canada’s first public aquarium may never get back up and running.

On Thursday, Ocean Wise launched a “Save the Vancouver Aquarium” campaign and are now seeking donations on the aquarium website.

Three weeks ago, Ocean Wise applied for $9.5 million in emergency funding from the federal government — enough to make up three months of losses — but they have yet to hear back.

The need is urgent. Without at least $1 million a month to offset the cost of caring for 70,000 animals, the Vancouver Aquarium will be underwater by the summer.

It’s a strange position for the 64-year-old facility, which is not normally dependent on government money.

“We’re not-for-profit, but we’re on the market, so that’s why we’ve been hit so hard,” Gustavsson explained. “That’s been serving us very well and that’s a really nice model to have, but when the market is closed, you’re kind of in trouble.”

Ocean Wise has also reached out to multiple ministries and agencies, both provincially and federally, for help averting bankruptcy.

“We remain hopeful that Canada won’t allow the Vancouver Aquarium to go under because of COVID-19, but the struggle is real,” Gustavsson said. “This is serious.”