Aquarium undergoes massive expansion

Here's some interesting news in Tampa Bay:

 

CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Marine Aquarium plans a $12 million expansion, hopefully to be largely completed before the September release of "Winter: A Dolphin's Tale."

The motion picture features Winter, the Aquarium's star attraction. She lost her tail when it became entangled a crab trap line, but was later fitted with a prosthesis and has been featured in broadcast and print articles around the world.

The expansion will essentially create a new Clearwater Marine Aquarium: new lobby and gift shop area, new restrooms, and much larger facilities for treating rescued dolphin and sea turtles.

"We'll go from about 400,000 gallons now to about 2 million gallons," said director David Yates.

Instead of gathering around a railing for dolphin shows, the public will sit in a 1,000 seat outdoor auditorium. There will also be a new parking garage and additional surface parking.

 

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