'A welcome respite,' Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory reopens Tuesday

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is set to reopen Tuesday and the director of the privately owned attraction is hoping it will serve as a source of relief from the weeks of lockdown due to COVID-19.

Curator and executive director of the conservatory Adrienne Brewster said they are thrilled to welcome the community back to "our tropical paradise right here within the region of Waterloo."

"We hope the tranquillity and serenity of our lush gardens will help to serve as a welcome respite," Brewster said in a news release.

Closed since March 13

The conservatory has been closed for more than three months and president Doug Wilson says thishas taken a toll.

"It's been a difficult few months," Wilson told CBC News on Monday.

"We were one of the first to close in the region of Waterloo. So, we closed March 13 because of the impending pandemic and we've been closed ever since.

"The conservatory is a place where people like to go to unwind. It's a tropical garden full of free-flying butterfliesand that provides some stress relief for visitors and moms with toddlers. So, we're happy to be able to get out and open again and support the community that's been so supportive of us as well," Wilson added.

'As close to nature you can get'

The conservatory boasts two large galleries with live and mounted insects on display.

The garden space is always maintained at a balmy 25 C or27 C, making it an ideal environmentfor all theplants, birds, bugs and tropical butterflies the conservatory brings infrom Costa Rica and the Philippines.

"The conservatory itself is full of singing finches and free-flying tropical butterflies, tropical plants, streams and waterfalls. It's just as close to nature you can get without being in a tropical garden outside," Wilson explained.

"There's a viewing window where visitors can watch butterflies emerging from their chrysalis and then fly in the conservatory."

New health and safety commitments

Meanwhile, Brewster said new health and safety commitments will guide the reopening, with timed admission.

Tickets are available on the conservatory's website and must be purchased in advance.

"The health and safety of visitors and staff are top of mind and of the utmost importance, so we have made some changes to the way we move and interact throughout the facility," Brewster said.

"With timed ticketing we will be able to provide a safe, enjoyable and exclusive experience."

In addition to requiring timed tickets, all staff and visitors will be required to wear a face mask while on-site, however face masks are not required within the tropical greenhouse.