Vancouver Aquarium now owned by Dollywood theme park operator Herschend Enterprises
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A sea lion swims past the window of an empty viewing area Vancouver Aquarium is pictured on September 10, 2020. A privately owned themed entertainment company based in the United States is the new owner of the Vancouver Aquarium. A statement from the aquarium says 100 per cent ownership of the 64-year-old facility has been acquired by Georgia-based Herschend Enterprises, operator of numerous U.S.-based attractions, including Dollywood in Tennessee. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
VANCOUVER – A privately owned entertainment company based in the United States is the new owner of the Vancouver Aquarium.
The agreement transferring ownership from Ocean Wise Conservation Association to Herschend was signed on Wednesday, the aquarium said in a statement.
Clint Wright, the aquarium s chief operating officer, will continue in his role, while Ocean Wise remains an independent ocean conservation organization.
The agreement secures the futures of the 64-year-old aquarium and its Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, and includes an annual donation of one per cent of the aquarium s gross revenues to support the Ocean Wise conservation program, the statement said.
The Vancouver Aquarium has been closed for all but a short time since the early days of the pandemic, which led to severe financial challenges. It faced the risk of permanent closure this spring, despite support from donations, corporations and the provincial and federal governments, Ocean Wise president Lasse Gustavsson said Thursday.
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Credit WDRB
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joined Herschend Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Andrew Wexler, state officials and community leaders to announce that Herschend Enterprises has become a majority partner and operator of Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay amusement and water park located in Louisville, Kentucky.
Georgia-based Herschend is the nation’s largest family-owned theme attractions and entertainment company. Herschend operates popular tourism attractions such as the Dollywood® Parks & Resorts in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and the Newport Aquarium® in Northern Kentucky.
“Kentucky’s ability to attract nationally recognized companies to the commonwealth is part of our commitment to build a stronger Kentucky by fostering partnerships that create opportunities for future economic growth and revenue,” said Gov. Beshear