WNY has just upped its game in the category of aquariums. The Aquarium of Niagara has announced that it has tapped Turner Construction Company as the project manager for its $5 million Great Lakes 360 project. Once complete, the Great Lakes 360 project will be “a living museum featuring the notable wildlife of the Niagara River and larger Great Lakes ecosystem.”
This is a win-win for the Aquarium, not only because of Great Lakes 360’s significant tie-in with the region, but also because the project augments the Aquarium’s geographical footprint and establishes the organization as a campus in downtown Niagara Falls.
Interestingly enough, this is the first expansion in the organization’s 58-year history, making the project of utmost significance in, and for, Niagara Falls.
Here are a few items of interest to consider:
Under an agreement with New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, the Aquarium will renovate the vacant Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, also known as the Schoellkopf Geological Museum.
The 5,000 square foot building is situated just 500 feet southwest of the Aquarium’s main building, within the boundaries of the Niagara Falls State Park, and at the precipice of the Niagara Gorge.
The Aquarium will celebrate its proximity to the natural wonder of Niagara Falls by ensuring a seamless guest experience that spans across indoor and outdoor spaces.
“We are embarking on something extraordinarily significant for ecotourism in our region thanks to a fortified alliance with New York State Parks,” said Gary Siddall, President & CEO of the Aquarium of Niagara. “Visitors will have the opportunity to feel the mist coming off the falls, take to the trails to explore unique areas of the Niagara Gorge, then come to Great Lakes 360 and really get to know the animals they may have just encountered outside through hands-on experiences and compelling interpretation.”
The Great Lakes 360 project builds upon a strategic commitment to rebranding the Aquarium inside and out, including more than $10 million in new exhibits and visitor amenities.
“NYS Parks is thrilled to be partnering with the Aquarium of Niagara on this innovative project to reimagine the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center,” said Mark V. Mistretta, Niagara Region Director, New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. “The Niagara River and the Great Lakes are incredible natural resources unique to our region so to have an opportunity to tell their stories is exciting. We look forward to the opening of this new attraction that will only add to the already dynamic offerings of the Aquarium of Niagara, and the state park as a whole.”
Once complete, there will be enough space to increase the Aquarium’s exhibit potential by 40 percent. Open opening, 15 brand new exhibits will be viewable, featuring turtles, amphibians, insects, and many species of fish, all of which are native to the Great Lakes. CPL Architecture and Tenji Aquarium Design + Build has been retained to create the educational, visually stimulating, and interactive exhibits.
The indoor, year-round attraction will be accessible in tandem with the Aquarium’s main building via a single general admission ticket and is expected to welcome more than 200,000 visitors annually.
“The Aquarium of Niagara is a destination and one of the best places to visit in the Falls. Being a part of the Great Lakes 360 Project Team is thrilling for Turner and our employees. We know and value the significant impact this project will have on education, conservation, research, and recreation for both our community and visitors from outside the region. While all our projects are significant to us, the ones that provide direct benefits to our community hold a special place,” said Steven Perrigo, VP and Business Manager, Turner Construction Company.
Construction is projected to be complete in Spring 2024.
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