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Should the Stanley Park Farmyard close, the adorable animals that have brought joy to countless children could end up in stockpots.
According to an anonymous letter sent to 24 hours, farmyard staff discovered displaced animals potentially could be sold at auction if a receiving farm is over-capacity.
Park Board Commissioner Ian Robertson described the anonymous suggestion as "unfortunate fear-mongering" by those who support keeping the farmyard open.
The Park Board will decide Wednesday whether to continue to subsidize the children's farmyard to the tune of $160,000 per year.
"The issue is, should we be in the animal barnyard business?" Robertson said. "I think there's a good debate and discussion around this."
If the subsidy were cancelled, the farmyard, which serves 150,000 visitors annually, would continue to operate until the animals are found suitable homes, Park Board Chair Raj Hundal said.
An alternative both Robertson and Hundal intend to explore is issuing a request for proposals from private operators to takeover the farmyard. This would allow the Park Board to focus on maintaining core services.
"Keeping our community centres open, ensuring that we have swimming pools with lifeguards are more important than keeping a barnyard open," Hundal said.