Proposed Aquarium

August 31, 2018  —  Future plans of the Brevard Zoo, located in Viera, include building a $70 Million aquarium at Port Canaveral; and while the planning and the investment is just in early stages, that project recently received a major boost with a commitment of $10 million from the Brevard County Tourist Development Council. Market research suggests that the aquarium could attract an average of 575,000 people a year, generate an estimated 50,688 nights a year in hotel room rentals, support 675 direct jobs, 262 spinoff jobs and $85.54 million in total economic impact on the area.

The aquarium will have an Indian River Lagoon theme and offer a “two-hour experience” for guests and is expected to be a major attraction on the Space Coast of Florida.

Brevard Zoo Executive Director Keith Winsten says that funding for the Aquarium project is expected to come from several sources, including public funding, the state, private donations from corporations or individuals and debt financing by the zoo. If funding is secured, the aquarium could open by the end of 2022.

For more information see this July 27, 2018 article in Florida Today: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2018/07/26/proposed-aquarium-port-canaveral-gets-10-m-commitment-hotel-tax/840245002/

Image courtesy of Brevard Zoo