NEWPORT — Visitors to the Oregon Coast Aquarium will find a but more to see and do this summer.
The aquarium has opened a new play area, amphitheater, water feature and an updated lobby, finishing the first of a three-phase renovation project that will cost an estimated $18 million. The aquarium draws some 420,000 visitors each year, making it one of the busiest attractions on the coast.
This marks the first major remodel of the aquarium since it opened to the public in 1992.
“We have anticipated this for years,” Carrie Lewis, president and CEO of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, said in a news release. “We are elated to offer these new experiences to our guests, and we’re so grateful for the support we have received along the way.”
One of the main attractions of the new renovation is a natural play area, inspired by both the coastal habitat and the former timber mill that once operated at the site of the aquarium. The play area includes climbing structures and slides that mimic the natural environment, as well as giant logs to clamber over.
The renovation also included a new outdoor amphitheater, where the aquarium will host educational presentations, as well as a water feature that shows the relationship between the local watershed and the Pacific Ocean.
There is also a renovated lobby, which has been moved to a more central location in the 40,000-square-foot facility. The new lobby design includes a view of the neighboring estuary, an updated cafe and a new moon jelly exhibit that’s expected to be completed this summer.
“These additions make a huge impact on our guests,” Lewis said. “They’re more than just attractions–they’re experiences, they’re places where families make memories, where inspiration is sparked and a love for nature is fostered.”
Financing for the first of the three phases came from contributions from major donors, including Roundhouse Foundation, Starker Forests, Sunderland Foundation, Marcia H. Randall Foundation, Miller Family Holdings, Jeanette Bertea Hennings Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, Ray Hickey Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, Rose Tucker Charitable Trust, and Oregon Forest Resources Institute.
The renovation project, first announced in 2019, is expected to occur in three phases. Phase two, which will improve the aquarium’s indoor galleries, will begin this fall and phase three, which includes construction of a marine rehabilitation center, is expected to start in 2023.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; tickets are $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors and young adults, and $14.95 for kids.
Lincoln County residents get a big break on admission — $5 per person on Sundays with proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or piece of mail.
— Compiled from The Oregonian/OregonLive and YachatsNews.com
