Whitecaps rally to save Vancouver Aquarium by selling colourful face masks

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC has partnered with the Vancouver Aquarium to sell high-performance athletic face masks, with all net proceeds going towards saving the Vancouver Aquarium.

As part of this partnership, the Vancouver soccer team states that 25 of its staff members are volunteering in the rescue effort, providing hundreds of labour hours in vital outreach efforts to Vancouver Aquarium members, donors, and supporters. 

Last week, Lasse Gustavsson, Chief Executive Officer at the Vancouver Aquarium, told Vancouver Is Awesome in a phone call that it may only be a matter of months before the beloved aquarium is shut down.  

The iconic Vancouver facility closed to the public on March 17. On March 31, it laid off 345 employees, which amounts to 60% of its workforce. From rescued sea lions to otters, seals to jellies, fish to birds - basic animal care and facility costs at the Vancouver Aquarium exceed $1 million dollars each month. However, the facility reports that revenue has dropped from approximately $3 million to almost zero.

Yesterday, however, Ocean Wise Conservation Association reported that it has raised over half a million dollars in just over a week since the Vancouver Aquarium announced that it might be forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With that being said, Gustavsson stated that the Aquarium's expenses to care for the animals, and to keep the water circulating in its builing, are over $1 million a month.

“It is devastating to imagine that the Vancouver Aquarium may cease to exist, but that is the reality we are fighting against. We have done everything in our power to reduce costs, but we still have more than 70,000 animals that need expert care,” said Gustavsson. “We are so grateful to have an organization like the Whitecaps reach out to offer their support and mobilize to create an initiative like this so quickly."

“From our ownership group on down, the Whitecaps exist to unite and inspire our community,” added Mark Pannes, Whitecaps FC CEO. “We understand how important this beloved institution, the Vancouver Aquarium, is not only to our city and province but also to the country. We also know the club occupies a special role in our city and when we can rally Vancouver to protect such a civic asset, we must. It truly does take a village in a crisis like this, and importantly we are producing the masks locally to support local manufacturers and workers. We ask all Vancouverites, who are able, to join us in this campaign to save the Vancouver Aquarium. We know our community is up to the task.”

Now, people can purchase one of four high-quality face masks, with each offering a special design, drawing inspiration from the ’Caps crest and the Vancouver Aquarium. The Vancouver Whitecaps note that the masks can be worn for long periods of time with no irratation due to a soft spun polyester lining close to the skin. They add that the mask, "makes use of double needle stitched binding for comfort and durability. Performance-wicking and made with 100 per cent polyester, it also features white piping that gives a visual indication when it’s time to wash the face mask."

 

The face masks come in small, medium and large and offer a, "stretchy ear-loop for maximum comfort." They also offer an, "Internal sleeve pouch allowing you to insert a filter of your choice."

The Vancouver Aquarium notes that emerging information regarding pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic transmission shows that wearing a non-medical mask—even if you have no symptoms―is an additional measure you can take to try to protect others around you. In addition, it states that medical grade masks, such as the N95 masks, should be reserved for healthcare workers. 

The colourful face coverings are available for order on the Vancouver Aquarium website by visiting vanaqua.org. Adult masks are available for $19.99 and kid's masks for $17.99, plus tax and shipping. All net proceeds from the sales will benefit the Vancouver Aquarium.