'So excited': The Leaf set to open this weekend
The opening date for The Leaf at the Assiniboine Park Conservancy has been a mystery ever since the new attraction neared completion, but now an official day has been announced.
The Conservancy shared on Thursday that The Leaf will be open to the public this weekend on Saturday, opening at 9 a.m. "We are so excited to invite visitors to discover the beauty, wonder, and magic of The Leaf over the upcoming holiday season and the weeks, months and years to come," said Margaret Redmond, the president and CEO of the conservancy, in a news release.
The Leaf has four indoor biomes that feature a variety of greenery.
The Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome has plants from tropical regions and will be home to the tallest indoor waterfall in Canada.
The Mediterranean Biome will showcase plants from areas such as Greece, Italy, South Africa, central Chile, southwest Australia and California.
The Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden will have exactly that, butterflies from tropical locations and it will give people the opportunity to the canopy walkway that goes through the waterfall.
Lastly, there is the Babs Asper Display House which will have a rotating schedule of floral displays, with changes being made four to five times a year.
"The Leaf is so many things. It is a stunning piece of architecture. It's a refuge from the winter winds. It's a place of beauty, a place of discovery, a place of learning. It's stunning, it's gorgeous, it's a sight to behold," said Laura Cabak, the director of public relations and communications for the Conservancy.
The Conservancy said tickets will be available online by 5 p.m. Thursday and all tickets will have entrance times to help control capacity.
As part of the celebration of the opening, there will be pop-up performances, workshops and demonstrations at The Leaf on Saturday. As well, the first 1,000 visitors will receive a gift.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.