Staff at the BC Wildlife Park are preparing for a ‘normal’ season this year, after the park reported 50,000 fewer visitors last year because of COVID-19 restrictions.

General Manager Glenn Grant though admits it could still be a different summer event schedule as they will still be following whatever provincial guidelines are in place.

“Its really hard to know try and pick up speed I guess and plan an event at the last minute, so we’re going to plan it as though its going to be normal and then make the adjustment as we close in on that event,” Grant told NL News. “We’re looking at the same event schedule that we had in 2019, and we’ll make adjustments on the fly.”

Grant is still expecting it to be a busy summer and he’s hoping to see a bounce back in visitors this year. Its as last year’s drop in visitors led to about $600,000 less in revenue for the park.

“I don’t think things will ever be the same as they were but trying to get the experience that is pleasant and people can participate in different activities,” Grant added. “I do think is important to plan ahead for and to strive for, and make adjustments as health restrictions and orders dictate.”

“A good example is Easter. I think there will be COVID protocols that must take place for the park to be open at that time. So Easter may not look like what it used to in the past, but we will have chocolates, and how we disburse that without an Easter egg hunt and different things, we’ll get the details as we get closer to the event.”

Starting March 1, the BC Wildlife Park returned to normal operating hours seven days a week after reduced hours over the winter.