The Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove wants to build an “educational discovery centre” on the 120-acre site at 264 Street and 50 Avenue.
The plans were disclosed at the Feb. 2 afternoon meeting of Township council, which voted to support the zoo application to the provincial Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), the agency that regulates protected farmland within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) where the zoo is located.
A staff report to council said the proposed one-storey, 120 foot tall, 8,400 square foot centre would include a theatre, a hall for special viewing, interactive exhibits and a conference room.
A copy of the zoo application to the ALC for permission to build the centre said the facility “would allow the public to further engage in the enjoyment and understanding of the animal kingdom through various media.”
A letter to the Township from general manager Jody Henderson said the zoo “recognizes the need to look ahead at other options to create awareness and explore new ways to engage our guests on creating a better future for our wildlife and wild places.”
The zoo first opened in August of 1970 as the Vancouver Game Farm.