Vancouver conservatory stays open

Vancouver's park board has 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 in the building, which is kept at subtropical temperatures year-round.

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

The plan is designed to streamline operations of 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.