Over this past weekend I received attendance figures for the Bloedel Conservatory for the month of December.  Guess what?  Attendance has tripled over December 2008 and in fact is the best December since at least 2005. 

Attendance for December 2009 was 8,213 compared to 2,571 for 2008.

OK, credit the media and the fact that at this point it could be closing for the increase but the optimist in me says this is Vancouverites voting with their feet to keep it open.  My e-mail and voice mail continue to receive messages from people from every neighborhood across the city that they want the Conservatory to remain open and in public hands. 

Sure, we can’t continue for the Conservatory to be a burden on taxpayers and lose $240,000 per year but the fact is the last 5-6 years have not made the conservatory an inviting or convenient place to visit due to resevoir upgrading and Canada Line construction.  Even if attendance were to improve by 40%, the Conservatory would break even.  It needs a chance.

More on this by Charlie Smith at the Georgia Straight and Andy Ivens at The Province.

You can also learn more by checking out the website developed by ‘Friends of the Bloedel’ at www.friendsofthebloedel.ca