A new bear pavilion on Vancouver Island opened Saturday to teach future generations about the importance of our bears and the old-growth forest in which they thrive.
A First Nations song about bears kicked off the ceremonies inside the newest educational building at North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre.
“We just want to share two things with them: the value of black bears and the value of old growth. A very simple message,” said Robin Campbell, one of the Centre’s founders.
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The 1,500-square-foot pavilion cost $250,000 and has become a reality with a lot of donated time, money and materials.
“We started some of it, then we looked for more funds, and we kept going, so when the building is completed, we don’t have any debt, and for us, that’s important. We don’t get government support. We rely on our admissions at the gate and donors to provide us with the funds we need,” said Adele Kristalovich, board president of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association.
It’s one more attraction for those visiting the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, which helps orphaned animals or rehabilitates injured ones until they can return to the wild.
The North Island Wildlife Recovery Association is celebrating its 40th anniversary this summer. Founders Robin and Sylvia Campbell recognized it Saturday with a cake, along with the pavilion’s opening.
“I’m feeling really emotional,” said Campbell, fighting back tears. “It’s something that I had a dream and it’s nice to see it completed, and most of all it’s going to be here long after I’m not here.”
The region’s director with the Regional District of Nanaimo says it was an honour to see the facility opened.
“This bear pavilion is absolutely beautiful,” said Leanne Wallace, the RDN’s Director for ‘Area F’. “It absolutely reflects what it should, I think, as far as wildlife and environment.”
The bear pavilion opened to visitors shortly after the ceremony, with the hope that an improved understanding of bears will help protect them in the years to come.