Representing an investment of $117 million, more than three football fields of space and a logo designed by a Cal State Long Beach student, the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific will open to the public June 20.
Chris Keefe, a student in the graphic design workshop at CSULB, designed the aquarium's logo. The three lines at the top symbolize the aquarium's three permanent exhibits and the line below represents animals who live in or near the ocean.
The new aquarium will have a definite CSULB connection. CSULB President Robert Maxson serves on the aquarium's board of directors.
"We've been working with CSULB in a number of ways," said Ilysha Adelstein, aquarium public relations assistant. "Some of our educators have been teaching class' and working other programs at CSULB."
According to Adelstein, the aquarium is a win-win opportunity for both the university and the community.
The aquarium serves as an anchor for the Queensway Bay undertaking, a downtown waterfront redevelopment project. It was designed to sharpen the focus on Long Beach as the largest port on the West Coast.
No tax dollars were used to fund the project. The aquarium was funded by private revenue bonds, according to aquarium representatives.
In fact, the aquarium is expected to generate $18 million in economic impact for the City of Long Beach and create 160 jobs. During its first year of operation, the aquarium is expected to draw nearly 1.6 million people. "There's never been anything like it," said Warren J. Iliff, aquarium president and chief executive officer.
"Aquarium of the Pacific will tell the story of the Pacific Rim and the vast and populous sea that covers nearly half the planet," Iliff said.
More than 10,000 live marine animals representing 550 species, 17 major exhibit tanks, 30 smaller focus tanks and 1 million gallons of sea water will be showcased at the new aquarium.
The initial sea water will be barged to the aquarium from two- to four-miles outside Long Beach to ensure the tanks are filled with the most pollution-free salt water.
Visitors can also enjoy the view across the bay of the Queen Mary and the Long Beach shoreline from the indoor, outdoor Cafe Scuba, or visit the marine-themed gift shop, Pacific Collections.
The story of the great Pacific Ocean will unfold in a manner that's creative,
entertaining and enlightening. It will be a great aquarium, according to
one of the aquarium's designers.