The Bloedel Floral Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park opens for the first time to a huge crowd. Made possible through a $1.25 million donation by lumber baron Prentice Bloedel, the attraction was built by using 1,490 Plexiglas bubbles. The triodetic dome atop 150-metre-high Little Mountain, the geographic centre of the city and its highest point, was constructed to house a diverse variety of plants, trees and shrubs from different climatic zones of the globe. It also features a colourful collection of Koi fish and numerous exotic tropical free-flying birds, such as macaws, cockatoos and parrots.
The aging structure was slated for destruction in 2010 but was saved after VanDusen Botanical Garden Association partnered with the park board and Friends of Bloedel to take over operations.
The popular tourist attraction is marking its 45th anniversary today with free celebration, including parking, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
