As B.C.'s largest community aquarium, running Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea takes an incredible amount of time, energy and resources to keep their operations going.

Since the centre opened 15 years ago, they have received financial support from the town of Sidney, through funding applications every few years for a set term.

"Having this predictable funding takes away the uncertainty of whether or not we will continue to have support," explains Pauline Finn, the centre's executive director.   

The not-for-profit centre submitted a request to the town of Sidney on Oct. 5 for funding support beyond December 2025 to help support their year-round operations, 24/7 care of its complex systems and their 3,500 animal ambassadors.

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, council approved their request for predictable funding equivalent to 1.4 per cent of SidneyB次元官网网址檚 tax revenues each year. 

"We are extremely grateful and excited about the future. The new funding commitment level is in line with the current funding of $205K per year. Securing the long-term commitment at this level is a game changer for our organization," Finn said.

The centre said with the current level of funding, they have been able to break even for the first time in their organization's history, finishing a few of their recent fiscal years with a little extra money left.

"It is extremely difficult for this type of non-profit facility to sustain itself financially, and some level of town support is critical in keeping the centre viable," Sidney mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith, said.

In 2020, Sidney made a five-year commitment to increase the centre's annual funding until the end of 2025.

"The confirmation of ongoing funding provides a new level of certainty for future planning, and better supports the centre in its capital fundraising efforts." 

To date, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea has welcomed over 1 million visitors.

"We are now looking forward to inspiring 1 million more," Finn added.