For immediate release
June 18, 2005

Capilano Suspension Bridge Launches Year of the Salmon with a unique interactive story pole

Special events throughout the park honour the importance of this fiesty, loyal and slippery hero

North Vancouver, B.C. - Capilano Suspension Bridge has designated 2005 as the Year of the Salmon. To get the celebrations underway, Master Carver Wayne Carlick today began carving a unique 14-foot interactive red cedar story pole depicting the Legend of the Salmon and the Blind Man. Also known as the Good Luck Story, it tells of how an old blind man, who helped many people throughout his life, was rewarded in his time of need with good fortune and assistance from the coastal animals including the salmon, the bear and the eagle. The unique design of the story pole invites Capilano Suspension Bridge's guests to be a part of the legend and share in the old man's good luck.

To highlight the vital role of salmon in First Nations culture and ceremony as well as in the health of our entire ecosystem, salmon-themed activities will carry on throughout the year around the park. Visitors can watch as the carvers reveal the salmon story pole and enjoy presentations of salmon songs and dances at the Little Big House Carving Centre. On-site naturalists offer guided walks through the West Coast rainforest that highlight the important role that salmon play in the ecosystem along the Capilano River. All food venues including the popular Canyon Caf?and

Loggers' Grill feature tasty salmon snacks and the Trading Post gift shop is well-stocked with salmon themed souvenirs from a day at the park.

"The legend of the salmon and the blind man highlights the importance of helping others to ensure your own well-being in the future," says Capilano Suspension Bridge President, Nancy Stibbard. "We are sure that our guests will enjoy being a part of the legend with this interactive story pole and the other Year of the Salmon activities around the park."

In addition, given the important ecological role that salmon play in the Capilano River below the bridge, Capilano Suspension Bridge is marking the occasion by raising funds to support the Pacific Salmon Foundation, a not-for-profit, charitable organization committed to the conservation, restoration and enhancement of pacific salmon in British Columbia's waterways. To mark the beginning of the Year of the Salmon, $1.00 from each admission will be donated to the Pacific Foundation. A similar donation campaign will be undertaken when the pole is raised at the park later in the year.

"At the Pacific Salmon Foundation we are grateful to partners like the Capilano Suspension Bridge who support our initiatives financially and help us raise public awareness about the vital role that salmon play in British Columbia," says Chad Brealey, Director of Development for the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

Other highlights at Capilano Suspension Bridge include the innovative and award winning Treetops Adventure, the interactive Story Center, Living Forest Exhibit, The Little Big House Carving Center, costumed history and nature guides and high energy, turn-of-the century entertainment.

Capilano Suspension Bridge is open every day except December 25. Seasonal hours and rates can be found at www.capbridge.com.

The attraction is part of the Capilano Group of Companies (CGC), which comprises retail, lodge and attraction businesses including Moraine Lake Lodge and Cathedral Mountain Lodge near Banff, Alberta. The most recent endeavor is a resort project on Mackenzie Beach in Tofino, located on the rugged West Coast of British Columbia's Vancouver Island. The project is slated for completion in 2007.

The president and owner of the Capilano Group of Companies, Nancy Stibbard has won numerous awards including Business in Vancouver's Influential Women in Business Award in 2000, Ernst and Young's 1996 Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Hospitality/Tourism in Pacific Canada and British Columbia Woman Entrepreneur Award in 1992. In 2004, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada named Capilano Suspension Bridge Innovator of the Year for the eco-attraction, Treetops Adventure. In addition, The Capilano Suspension Bridge was awarded Business of the Year at the inaugural 2003 Tourism Industry Association of Canada's National Tourism Excellence Awards, and BC's Best Outdoor Site by Attractions Canada in 1999 and 2000.