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EVENT & VENUE INFORMATION
VENUE INFORMATION
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is a 135,000 square foot awe-inspiring attraction with more than 5.7 million litres of water highlighting marine and freshwater habitats from around the world. Open 365 days a year, Canada’s largest indoor aquarium is home to 16, 000 marine animals and host to 336 species from 14 countries.From the heart-pounding experience of Dangerous Lagoon, a football-field length acrylic viewing tunnel with moving glide-path sidewalk through sharks, green sea turtles, sawfish and moray eels; to the hypnotic dance of Pacific sea nettle jelly fish which are illuminated in an array of breathtaking colours from within the world’s largest kreisel tank at Planet Jellies, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada will captivate Torontonians as well as guests from around the world.
Among the awe-inspiring exhibits, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada features:
• The Canadian Waters Gallery – 17 exhibits of aquatic animals from Canada’s own backyard including extremely rare electric blue lobsters from the Atlantic Ocean, unusual Arctic grayling, giant Pacific octopuses, and a 180-degree Pacific Kelp panel exhibit with wave-making actions that simulate the British Columbia shoreline.
• The 420,000 litre Rainbow Reef tank with 60 varieties of colourful species from the tropical Indo-Pacific regions including tangs, surgeonfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, damsels, chromis and clownfish.
• A fun-for-all-ages Discovery Centre with tsunami simulator, Great Lakes locks exhibit, horseshoe crab touch pools, yellow ‘research’ submarine, Shark Reef crawl tunnel, and bubble peekaboo pop-ups among adorable pufferfish or the ever-popular clown fish.
• Ray Bay is host to dozens of playful sting rays who swim alongside other amazing creatures such as bonnethead sharks. This gallery features a large viewing area, interactive touch pool and daily shows where our divers interact and feed these magnificent creatures.
• The Gallery featuring exotic marine life such as the delicate sea horse and leafy sea dragons, as well as some of the world’s most venomous fish - lionfish and stone fish.
• Planet Jellies will mesmorize and delight with its backlit colour changing displays featuring five species of jellies.
• A revolutionary behind the scenes look at our actual Life Support System of two of the Aquarium’s largest tanks; Dangerous Lagoon and Ray Bay.
• More than 100 interactive exhibits including touch pools, multimedia displays and learning centres.
Venue hours of operation change throughout the year and an operating schedule can be found on our website at www.ripleysaquariumofcanada.com.
HOSTING AN EVENT AT RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM OF CANADAThank you for considering Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada as host to your Special Event. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of our Special Events Program, we have designed these guidelines to achieve a successful relationship with our clients and partners. All event booking inquiries are evaluated on a variety of criteria including event feasibility, availability of dates and location. All event arrangements should be considered tentative until an event contract has been issued and executed. If you require clarification or additional information on the guidelines proposed in this document, please contact our Events Department directly:
CONTACT INFORMATIONPhone: 647-435-3474 EXT. 2645 Fax: 647-435-1034Email: [email protected]: www.ripleysaquariumofcanada.com
EVENT OPTIONS
VENUE BUYOUT:• Venue buyouts are perfect for corporate events, socials and more.
• Venue buyouts include use of the aquarium and all exhibit areas after regular business hours.
• Buyouts are available Sunday-Thursday excluding late June, July & August beginning no earlier than 7pm.
• Capacity for a venue buyout is 1,200 cocktail with minimal seating. Please inquire for seated options.
• Your venue buyout includes the following;
• Admission to the aquarium for up to 1,200 guests on the event date.• Onsite venue events contact• Complimentary coat check (Capacity of 700 coats)• 4 guest service staff to operate coat check• 2 educational staff placed at our two touch tanks to answer any questions
from guests and to maintain the well-being of our animals within the tanks. • All aquarists and facility operations staff back of house to operate the venue.• 1 facility security officer dedicated to building operations.• Housekeeping for restroom facilities.• All other services will be provided by the event caterer.• Additional requirements or services may be subjected to additional charges.
RECEPTIONS:• Perfect for corporate gatherings, meet & greet and networking events, the Dangerous Lagoon
Overlook is an intimate semi-private space overlooking our feature shark tank.
• Receptions are available Monday-Thursday year round during our operational hours.
• Reception times are based on approval. Please inquire for specific times.
• Capacity for receptions is 75 cocktail-no seating.
• Your reception rental includes;
• Admission to the aquarium for up to 75 persons on the event date. • Additional tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate for up to 120 people.• 3 hour time period not including load in and out times provided at no extra cost.• 2 staff members to control access and egress to and from the space.• Holding room directly behind the space for catering preparation. • Registration table and chairs in our lobby to check in your guests.
• Coat check is available in our lobby for a minimal fee of $2.00 per item. Coat check can also be pre-purchased for the event.
MEETINGS & PARTY ROOMS:• Ideal for corporate meetings, team building and holiday parties our Atlantic & Pacific rooms
have what you are looking for to create an intimate experience for you and your team. The Atlantic & Pacific room rentals include a 3 hour time period not including load in and out times which are provided at no extra cost.
• Both rooms are fully equipped with audio visual equipment to accommodate any meeting or party. Each room comes with an in ceiling audio system, wireless handheld and lavalier microphones, projector and projector screen.
• Rooms include use of (5) six foot tables and up to 30 chairs per room.
• Capacity for each room is 30 seated. If the rooms are combined and setup with theatre style seating, the capacity increases to a maximum of 75.
• Single room rental includes 20 admissions. Additional tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate.
• Coat check is available in our lobby for a minimal fee of $2.00 per item. Coat check can also be pre-purchased for the event.
EXCLUSIVE CATERERSAt Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada we have several exclusive caterers for you to choose from.
Only the approved exclusive caterers below may be used at the aquarium. Once you have chosen your caterer, an event coordinator will be assigned to you for your event and will manage most of the details leading up to, during and following your event.
HOSTING A SUSTAINABLE EVENT At Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada we strive to host sustainable events limiting our impact on the environment. To achieve this goal in our conservation efforts Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is a water bottle free facility. The use of plastic disposables and straws are not permitted. We encourage our clients to use reusable glassware and dishware. While seafood may be served within the venue, it must come from a sustainable source.
Daniel et Daniel Jake Curl416-968-9275 Ext [email protected] Carlton StreetToronto, Ontario, M5A 2L1
10tationJen [email protected] Norseman StreetToronto, Ontario, M8Z 2R4
EatertainmentKelly Bolt416-964-1162 Ext [email protected] Street West, Suite 216Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A5
Presidential GourmetJennifer Draper416-466-7272 Ext [email protected] Mill Street, Suite 1304Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3R3
Marigolds & OnionsCarol Jacobson416-256-4882 Ext [email protected] Dufferin Street, Unit 18 Toronto, Ontario, M6B 4J3
Shopsy’s & Quinn’s CateringJamie Leitch - Irish Embassy Hospitality Group [email protected] Yonge StreetToronto, Ontario, M5E 1J1
RenaissanceStephen [email protected] Blue Jays WayToronto, Ontario, M5V 1J4
PR Creative Caterers - Kosher CateringJoe Elmaleh416-787-9889 Ext 250 [email protected] Chesswood Drive, unit 5North York, Ontario, M3J 2B9
PREFERRED SUPPLIERS
While it is not mandatory to use the following suppliers, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada recommends the use of the following service providers. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada must approve any supplier not listed below.
Audio Visual Frischkorn Audio Visual
Rentals Exclusive Affair Rentals Chairman Mills
Furniture Divine Furniture Rental
SPECIAL OCCASIONS PERMIT (ALCOHOL)
A special occasion’s permit must be obtained by the event and submitted to the venue for review a minimum 7 days prior to an event in order to serve alcohol within the venue. A special occasion’s permit allows your chosen caterer to purchase and serve alcohol at your event.
EVENT SERVICES FEE LIST
Prime Time Non-Prime Time
December, June - August
January - May & September - November
Venue Buyout $25,000.00 $15,000.00
Dangerous Lagoon Reception $5,000.00 $2,500.00
Pacific or Atlantic Party Room $2,000.00 $1,000.00
Pacific & Atlantic Party Rooms $4,000.00 $2,000.00
*Please note that the prices listed do not include HST.
LANDMARK FEE
All exclusive caterers will list a 15% landmark fee on their quotes and final invoices which they will remit back to the venue following an event. The landmark fee will be charged based on the subtotal of all services provided by the caterer. These services include but are not limited to, food, beverage, event labour, furniture, linens, décor, additional staffing such as event security and any audio visual requirements.
PHOTO PORT If you want to add that special extra touch to your venue buyout, consider using our photo port where we supply 2 photography staff to take and edit pictures of your guests at our photo location. We offer a variety of photo souvenir options for you to choose from. This service ranges in cost dependent on attendance.
DIVE SHOWSAdd an Educator and Diver to your venue buyout for a private exclusive 15 minute dive show for an additional cost. Located at our Rainbow Reef and/or Ray Bay gallery, shows include an educational talk between the educator and diver explaining the marine life within the tank.
BEHIND THE SCENES TOURSIf you are interested in seeing what our traditional guests do not have access to, a behind the scenes tour may be the perfect option. Behind the scenes tours can be offered during both venue buyouts and receptions for an additional cost. These tours can accommodate a maximum of 12 people at a time and take approximately 30 minutes. Hosted by one of our aquarium educators, guests are taken through the labyrinth of back of house areas and learn about our life support systems and animal husbandry areas.
CARGO HOLD GIFT SHOPThe beautiful Cargo Hold Gift Shop will remain open for the duration of venue buyouts at no cost to the client. As a special promotion, we can offer a special event discount of 25% for all items in the gift shop during venue buyouts. Perfect for receptions, event gifts can also be pre-purchased for your guests.
LIABILITY INSURANCEAny client wishing to rent the venue for a buyout must supply a certificate of liability insurance in the amount of $2,000,000.00 listing Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada LP as an additional insured for the duration of the event.
Liability insurance is not required for smaller events operating within our regular hours of operation.
EVENT CANCELLATION POLICYCancellation from 0-14 days prior to arrival: 100% of venue rental fee and 15% landmark fee from catering and rentals estimate are due based on the final quote less any deposit paid.
Cancellation from 15-30 days prior to arrival: 75% of venue rental fee and 15% landmark fee from catering and rentals estimate are due based on the final quote less any deposit paid.
Cancellation from more than 30 days prior to arrival: 50% of venue rental fee is due based on the final quote less any deposit paid.
HOURS, PARKING & DIRECTIONSRipley’s Aquarium of Canada is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Toronto, next to the CN Tower.
Our address is 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3L9.
The aquarium is easily accessible via the QEW and Gardiner Expressway, exit at Spadina Ave from the West, or from the East via the DVP, Gardiner Expressway exiting at Spadina Ave.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is also accessible by public transit either by the GO or TTC and is just steps away from Union Station. Walk west on Bremner Blvd or take the Skywalk and you will be at our front doors in no time.
While there is no parking available at the aquarium, there are numerous public parking locations just minutes from our doors.
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