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Aquarium eyes Crystal Garden

Victoria Times Colonist
Published: Monday, January 15, 2007

VICTORIA - Swimming could return to the Crystal Garden, originally built as a saltwater pool for Victoria's residents.

But this time it could be fish frolicking in the facility -- the Vancouver Aquarium is eyeing the historic downtown landmark for a satellite exhibition space.

Aquarium president John Nightingale said his tourist attraction has sent an expression of interest for the Crystal lease, up for grabs after the short-lived B.C. Experience closed and filed for bankruptcy in September.

But he cautioned that the aquarium is still doing research on the viability of using the Crystal as an aquarium site before it can formally angle for the lease.

Talk about what could fill the space is heating up as a deadline looms for the bankruptcy trustee to find someone to take over the lease held by the Royal Bank, the only secured creditor in the $9-million bankruptcy.

The City of Victoria has announced its intention to put in a bid for the space to expand the Victoria Conference Centre.